Hir    r 


''Sk'M^_ 


f 


(!*e 


h 


••v,e 


.#• 


'0  2-. 


I 


Stom  t^e  £t6rarg  of 

(profe06or  Wiffiam  J^^^^S  (Breen 

Q0equeaf3e^  6l?  ^im  to 
t^e  £,i6rari?  of 

(|)nnceton  t^eofo^icaf  ^eminarj^ 


^tf>*1  l^^t^tl 


5^ 


/ 

A   CRY 


FROM 


THE    DESERT. 


'  BEHOLD,  THE  BRIDEGROOM  COMETH," 


PHILADELPHIA: 
ORRIN  ROGERS,  67  SOUTH  SECOND  STREET. 

E.  G.  Dorsey,  Printer. 

1841. 


I 


A  CRY  FROM   THE  DESERT. 


"There  shall  come  in  the  last  days  scoffers,  walking  after  their  own  lusts 
(inclinations),  and  saying,  Where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming?  For  since 
the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things  continue  as  they  were  from  the  beginning  of 
the  creation." — 2  Pet.  iii.  3.  4. 

"Behold,  the  former  things  are  come  to  pass,  and  new  things  do  I  declare; 
before  they  spring  forth  I  tell  you  of  them." — Isai.  xlii.  9. 

"Who  will  hearken  and  hear  for  the  time  to  comeT' — Isai.  xlii.  23. 

"So  likewise  ye,  when  ye  see  these  things  come  to  pass,  know  ye,  that  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  nigh  at  hand." — Luke  xxi.  31. 

"Seek  ye  out  of  the  book  of  the  Lord,  and  read." — Isai.  xxxiv.  16. 

"Blessed  is  he  that  readeth,  and  they  that  hear  the  words  of  this  prophecy, 
and  keep  those  things  which  are  written  therein;  for  the  time  is  at  hand." — 
Rev.  i.  3. 

"Son  of  man,  behold,  they  of  the  house  of  Israel  say,  The  vision  that  he 
seeth  is  for  many  days  to  come,  and  he  prophesieth  of  the  times  that  are 
far  off.  Therefore  say  unto  them,  Thus  sailh  the  Lord  God,  There  shall 
none  of  my  words  be  prolonged  any  more;  but  the  word  which  I  have  spoken 
shall  be  done,  saith  the  Lord  God." — Ezekiel  xii.  27,  28. 

"To  whom  shall  I  speak  and  give  warning,  that  they  may  hear?  Behold 
their  ear  is  uncircumcised,  and  they  cannot  hearken:  behold  the  word  of  the 
Lord  is  unto  them  a  reproach;  they  have  no  delight  in  it." — Jer.  vi.  10. 


"thou  wast  altogether  born  in  sins,  and  dost  thou  teach  csl" 

"one    thing    I    KNOW,  THAT,    WHEREAS    I    WAS    BLIND,    NOW    I    SEE." 

— John  ix.  34,  25. 

Aqiiilla.  Well,  Philander,  as  we  have  now  once  again  taken 
up  our  residence  in  the  country,  and  are  free  from  all  the  tu- 
mult and  confusion  of  town,  I  hope  you  will  allow  me  to  re- 
fer to  the  subject  which  appears  to  have  absorbed  so  much  of 
your  time  and  attention, — the  study  of  the  prophetic  Scrip- 
tures, to  which,  as  I  have  before  hinted,  I  think  you  attach 
undue  importance.  I  have,  on  a  former  occasion,  expressed 
my  opinion,  that  the  Christians  of  the  present  day  have  little 
interest  in  the  Prophecies:  indeed,  I  am  persuaded  it  never 
was  the  design  of  Providence,  that  the  mysteries  which  the 
prophetic  writings  contain  should  ever  become  the  subject  of 
curious  research.  It  appears  to  me,  that  the  spirit  with  which 
the  subject  is  now  prosecuted  is  little  short  of  impiety:  "Secret 
things  belong  unto  God." 


4  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

Phila?ider.  I  am  fully  aware,  Aquilla,  of  the  host  of  objec- 
tions with  which  I  have  to  contend,  whilst  defending  the  study 
of  that  portion  of  Holy  Writ  which,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  has 
not  only  proved  a  source  of  the  most  gratifying  occupation  to 
my  mind,  but  which  has  materially  tended  to  wean  my 
thoughts  and  affections  from  the  delusive  and  unsubstantial 
' 'things"  which  are  "visible,"  and  to  fix  them  on  those 
^'things"  which,  although  invisible,  alone  deserve  the  name  of 
reality.  I  will  candidly  confess,  that  I  have  always  felt,  and 
still  feel,  much  hesitation  in  entering  into  argument  upon  this 
subject,  even  with  you:  for,  although  it  would  be  difficult  for 
me  to  convey,  in  adequate  terms,  the  astonishing  force  with 
which  these  glorious  truths  impressed  my  mind,  yet  I  felt  so 
deeply  my  own  general  incapacity  to  cope  with  you  in  argu- 
ment— and  as  I  learnt,  so  in  proportion  was  I  convinced  of 
my  utter  ignorance  of  Divine  things — that  I  ever  felt  disposed  to 
evade  the  question:  but  I  can  assure  you,  that  as  I  become 
acquainted  with  its  mysteries,  so  are  the  eyes  of  my  under- 
standing opened  as  respects  the  true  meaning  of  Scripture. 

*jiqiiilla.  I  acknowledge  I  have  allowed  myself  to  view  the 
peculiar  doctrines  which  are  advocated  by  a  certain  party  in 
some  respects  as  a  "new  light;"  and  my  prejudices,  if  you 
please,  immediately  rise  against  innovations  in  our  generally 
received  faith  on  the  grand  doctrines  of  religion. 

Philander.  I  am  as  jealous  as  5- ou  express  yourself  to  be,  of 
any  "new  system;"  but  I  think  it  would  be  found  an  easy 
task  to  prove,  that  those  views  of  Scripture  which  you  term  a 
"new  light"  was  the  lamp  which  burned  bright  and  clear  in 
the  first  and  purest  ages  of  the  Christian  church,  the  realization 
of  which  was  the  grand  hope  of  the  Apostles  and  Martyrs;  the 
theme  upon  which  they  constantly  discoursed,  and  which  sup- 
ported them  in  their  severest  trials; — the  coming  of  our  Lord, 
"and  the  restitution  of  all  things,  which  God  hath  spoken  by 
the  mouth  of  all  his  holy  Prophets  since  the  world  began." 
(Acts  iii.  21.) 

Aquilla.  I  cannot  but  feel  some  interest  in  a  subject  which 
has  excited  so  much  of  my  friend's  enthusiasm,  and  I  feel 
every  wish  to  prosecute  the  inquiry:  at  the  same  time,  I  can- 
didly admit  that  I  have  imbibed  the  opinions  which  are  gene 
rally  entertained  and  sanctioned  by  the  divines  of  the  present 
day. 

Philander.  I  am  convinced,  that,  however  firmly  rooted 
your  prejudices  may  be  on  certain  points,  you  will  bring  to 
this  subject  the  true  feelings  of  a  Christian.  "The  justifica- 
tions which  are  now  advanced  by  Christians  as  excuses  for 
their  ignorance  and  neglect  of  the  prophetic  writings,  are  truly 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  5 

unaccountable:  the  objection  perpetually  occurs,  'These  are 
the  secret  things  of  God:'  and  this  shallow  pretext  is  made  a 
covert  for  negligence,  and  in  some  instances  for  an  affected 
Christian  modesty,  and  to  fix  a  charge  of  presumption  on 
others  who  are  anxious  to  search  into  and  penetrate,  if  possi- 
ble, the  'deep  things  of  God,'  as  they  are  often  called.  But, 
is  it  true  that  Prophecy  forms  any  part  of  'the  secret  things 
of  God?'  Is  it  not,  in  fact,  the  transcript  of  his  own  revealed 
mind  J  and  the  very  test  on  which  he  stays  his  own  eternal 
sovereignty,  and  the  truth  of  his  Prophets,  by  solemnly  assert- 
ing that  all  things  shall  come  to  pass,  according  to  their  words; 
and  in  declaring  his  mind  to  the  Jews,  and  by  them  for  the 
benefit  of  all  generations  then  to  come,  did  he  not  forcibly 
command  every  individual  of  the  human  race,  to  consider  his 
message  and  to  inquire  into  the  meaning  of  what  was  'the 
burden  of  the  Lord.'  I  do  not  hesitate  to  state  the  conviction 
of  my  own  mind,  that  without  a  knowledge  of  the  prophetic 
writings,  it  is  impossible  that  any  man  can  entertain  a  just  con- 
ception of  the  scheme  of  mercy  by  God,  for  the  benefit  of 
man,  or  of  the  ultimate  results  of  the  mysterious  dispensation 
under  which  we  now  live.  I  am  equally  convinced,  that, 
through  a  similar  ignorance  of  the  nature  and  power  of  the 
language  of  symbols,  the  most  unfounded  assertions  are  every 
day  made,  and  the  most  erroneous  opinions  perpetually 
broached."* 

Aqidlla.  I  have  been  ever  accustomed  to  consider  that  the 
principal  events  which  the  Prophecies  foretold  have  already 
received  their  fulfilment;  and  are  recorded  only  as  a  standing 
evidence  and  argument  of  the  truth  of  religion,  against  the 
objections  of  infidels.  And  with  respect  to  those  which  re- 
main unfulfilled,  their  accomplishment  is  removed  at  too 
remote  a  period  to  interest  our  inquiries. 

Philander.  In  the  objections  which  you  have  just  advanced, 
I  perceive  three  of  the  usual  answers  which  are  given  to  those 
who  advocate  the  study  of  the  Prophecies,  and  to  which  I 
will  endeavour  to  reply  with  such  arguments  as  may  present 
themselves  to  my  mind;  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  enabled  to  con- 
vince you  that  such  objections  are  wholly  untenable  from 
Scripture  authority. 

1.  That  the  principal  portion  of  Prophecy  has  already  re- 
ceived its  fulfilment. 

2.  That  the  unfulfilled  is  removed  at  too  great  a  distance  of 
time  to  interest  our  inquiries. 

3.  That  the  Prophecies  were  never  intended  to  be  under- 

*  Teacher's  Magazine. 


6  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

stood  until  after  their  accomplishment,  as  furnishing  evidences 
of  the  truth  of  Revelation. 

I  feel  little  hesitation  in  replying  to  the  Jirst  objection,  in 
asserting  as  positively,  that  a  very  small  portion  of  the  Pro- 
phecies have  received  their  final  accomplishment.  The  error 
has  arisen  entirely  from  ignorance  of  the  prophetic  method, 
which  will  be  found,  on  attentive  examination,  to  be  uniformly 
systematic;  and  which  rule  of  Prophecy  is  laid  down  in  Deut. 
xviii.  21,  22.  There  are  f^ew,  if  any,  prophecies  in  the  Scrip- 
tures which  have  in  view  only  one  event.  The  Prophet  is 
charged  with  a  "burden  from  the  Lord;"  the  grand  and  ulti- 
mate object  of  which  is  to  describe  the  events  of  ''the  latter 
days,"  in  which  nearly  all  the  Prophecies  centre:  but  the  test 
of  the  truth  of  the  Prophecy  is  a  more  immediate  accomplish- 
ment. Take,  for  example,  the  promise  of  the  land  of  Canaan, 
as  an  everlasting  habitation  and  possession  to  the  seed  of 
Abraham;  or  the  destruction  of  Babylon,  Jer.  1.,  li. ;  Isai.  xiii., 
xiv.  After  reading  the  promise  in  the  one  case,  and  the  pro- 
phetic denunciation  in  the  other,  and  comparing  it  with  the 
historical  records  which  we  possess,  can  any  one  deny  that 
only  a  partial  fulfilment  of  either  has  taken  place?  and  if  so, 
what  must  be  the  conclusion,  but  that  the  first  part  having  been, 
accomplished,  most  assuredly  the  latter  will  be  completed  to 
the  very  letter,  in  God's  own  time?  "No  one  of  these  shall 
fail,  none  shall  want  her  mate."  (Isai.  xxxiv.  16.) 

The  grand  point  in  which  all  Prophecy  is  concentrated,  both 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  is  the  coming  of  our  Lord  in 
glory  and  majesty,  the  restoration  of  the  Jews  as  a  nation,  and 
the  destruction  of  the  mystical  Babylon;  and  then,  hut  not  till 
(hen,  will  the  period  arrive  when  "the  earth  shall  be  full  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 
(Isai.  xi.  9.) 

In  reply  to  your  second  objection,  I  think  you  would  find  it 
difficult  to  produce  even  the  shadow  of  a  reason  why  the  ulti- 
mate fulfilment,  to  which  I  have  before  referred,  is  necessarily 
removed  beyond  our  generation;  and  I  am  persuaded,  were 
the  numerous  individuals  who  urge  this  comn)on-place  excuse 
for  neglecting  the  inquiry,  narrowly  to  trace  the  motive  which 
suggests  it,  and  which  they  allovv  so  blindly  to  operate  on  their 
conduct,  they  would  find  it  proceeded  from  a  cause  they  little 
suspected — a  decided  disinclination  to  believe  "that  the  time 
isathand."  Of  this  truly  it  may  be  said,  "they  willingly  are 
ignorant."  (2  Pet,  iii.  5.)  And  what  does  this  truth  teach 
us?  That  those  who  ought  to  be  looking  and  longing  for  their 
Lord  "are  eating  and  drinking,  and  marrying  and  giving  in 
marriage."     The  summons  for  the  marriage-supper  has  gone 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  7 

forth;  but  the  children  of  the  kingdom  are  variously  occupied, 
"and  cannot  come." 

The  cause  of  the  infidelity  of  the  church,  on  the  subject  of 
the' second  advent  of  our  Lord,  and  the  fulfilment  of  the  many 
important  prophecies  connected  with  that  glorious  event,  is 
well  expressed  in  the  words  of  Peter.  "Where  is  the  promise 
of  his  coming?  for  since  the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things  coiitinue 
as  theij  Tcerefrom  the  beginning  of  the  creation.'^  Notwithstand- 
ing all  our  high  professions,  our  faith  in  God's  word  amounts 
to  little  more  than  practical  atheism.  If  we  do  not  altogether 
say  the  world,  its  elements,  and  its  various  forms  of  society, 
were  originally  formed  and  are  held  to  their  present  condition 
hy  chance,  we  go  far  to  believe  that  God  has  established  a  cer- 
tain order  of  cause  and  effect,  and  has  left  the  world  to  be  thus 
governed,  without  any  further  interference  on  his  part;  and 
this  system,  as  we  imagine,  continuing  unaltered  for  so  many 
revolving  ages,  furnishes  us  with  conclusive  proof  on  the  sub- 
ject. As  if  He  who  established  and  sustains  this  order  of 
things  cannot,  or  is  now  too  weak  or  too  indifferent  to  change 
it;  as  if  He  who  created  nature's  laws,  were  not  Lord  also  of 
nature.  We  boast  much  of  our  sagacity  and  intellect;  but  I  am 
persuaded,  that  were  our  wisest  and  most  prudent  men  severely 
to  scrutinize  and  nicely  analyze  the  motives  which  influence, 
and  the  basis  upon  which  their  most  popular  notions  are 
founded,  they  would  not  only  find  them  opposed  to  all  true 
philosophy,  but  would  themselves  blush  at  the  utter  imbecility 
of  all  human  wisdom.  A  child  who  is  taught  by  the  Spirit  of 
God  is  a  far  better  philosopher,  and  of  a  far  higher  order,  than 
our  wisest  men  who  are  not  thus  instructed.  They  lay  down 
hypotheses,  and  form  theories,  assume  their  infallibility,  and 
argue  from  these,  instead  of  betaking  themselves  to  a  Grand 
First  Cause,  and  thence  dozv?izcards :  they  expect  to  bend  the  in- 
finite wisdom  and  eternal  purpose  of  God  to  their  own  puny 
wretched  attempts  to  reduce  them  to  their  ideas  of  method  and 
order;  and  thus  it  is  that  our  wise  men  expend  their  nights, 
and  days,  and  years,  in  trifles;  their  own  learning  and  intellect 
proving  stumbling-blocks;  whilst  the  child  of  the  Spirit  grasps 
and  comprehends  the  deepest  truths,  which  can  be  known  only 
to  the  spiritual  mind.  This  is  sufficient  reason  why  God 
always  speaks  with  such  contempt  of  human  wisdom,  and  why 
the  simple  minded,  though  a  fool,  shall  utterly  confound  all 
the  accumulated  learning  and  research  of  every  school  esta- 
blished on  such  principles  since  the  world  began.  Let  reason 
follow  in  its  proper  place,  and  not  presume  to  lead.  If  an 
individual's  sight /oZ/ozo  the  rays  of  the  sun's  light  on  an  ob- 
ject, he  will  see  it  with  all  the  vividness  of  which  his  vision 


8  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

is  capable;  but  let  him  oppose  himself  to  its  rays,  and  it  becomes 
confused  and  indistinct.  As  it  is  with  the  sun,  the  source  of 
light,  so  is  it  with  God,  the  fountain  of  all  wisdom! 

In  reply  to  your  third  objection,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
one  end  for  which  the  prophetic  writings  were  designed,  was 
to  confirm  the  faith  of  the  wavering  church  in  all  ages,  and  to 
furnish  them  with  an  unanswerable  argument  against  the  dar- 
ing scepticism  of  infidels:  indeed,  but  a  slight  acquaintance 
with  the  Prophecies  themselves  will  prove  to  you,  that  they 
bear  internal  evidence  that  tJiis  was  only  a  comparatively 
subordinate  use,  and  not  their  grand  and  ultimate  object.  I 
have  before  remarked,  nearly  all,  if  not  all,  the  Prophecies 
centre  in  the  final  overthrow  of  the  present  existing  order  of 
things,  the  establishment  of  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  and  the  "restitution  of  all  things;"  which  fact  being 
admitted — and  none  will  deny  it,  who  have  even  carelessly 
read  them, — how  can  they  be  given  exclusively  for  the  con- 
firmation of  the  faith  of  wavering  Christians,  when  their  grand 
accomplishment  is  at  that  period  when  faith  itself  will  be 
changed  into  sight?  Could  Jonah's  prophetic  mission  to  the 
inhabitants  of  JNineveh  have  been  exclusiveh'  for  the  confir- 
mation of  the  faith  of  believers?  Or  rather,  was  it  not  a  threat- 
ening of  punishment  for  their  sins,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
instigating  them  to  acts  of  humiliation  and  repentance?  Was 
Noah's  prophetic  voice  to  the  Antediluvians  for  the  confirma- 
tion of  the  faith  of  believers?  Was  it  not  rather  a  witness 
agai?ist  the  zcicked,  and  a  warning  to  them,  that,  if  they  re- 
pented, they  likewise  might  be  saved? 

Do  we  not  read,  that  Daniel  learnt  from  books  that  the 
termination  of  the  Jewish  captivity  in  Babylon  was  at  hand, 
and  therefore  set  himself  to  prayer  and  fasting?  and  do  we  not 
read  the  heavenly  approbation  in  the  words  of  the  angel  who 
was  sent  to  him?  "O  Daniel,  greatly  beloved,  understand 
the  words  that  I  speak  unto  thee;  for  unto  thee  am  I  now 
sent;  for  from  the  first  day  that  thou  didst  set  thine  heart  to 
understand  and  to  chasten  thyself  before  th}'  God,  thy  words 
were  heard,  and  lam  come  for  thy  n-ords."  (Dan.  x.  11.  12.) 
And  because  he  had  diligently  searched  into  these  things,  was 
the  angel  sent  "to  tell  him  (and  the  church  after  him),  what 
should  befall  his  people  in  the  latter  days." 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Simeon,  and  Anna  the  pro- 
phetess, and  such  as  waited  and  expected  the  first  advent  of 
our  Lord,  had  their  hopes  excited  by  the  prophecy  of  the 
sdVenty  weeks  of  Daniel;  and  that  such  an  expectation  existe,d 
generally  amongst  the  Jews,  and  through  them  extended  to 
the  Heathen  nations,  history  attests:  and  which  anticipation  of 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  9 

the  Jewish  people  for  the  appearance  of  their  Messiah,  was 
more  immediately  confirmed  by  John  the  Baptist's  preparatory 
and  prophetic  mission. 

Had  the  Christians  of  the  first  a^es  regarded  the  prophecy 
of  our  Lord,  of  the  speedy  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  ''only  of 
use  after  its  fulfilment  to  confirm  their  faith,"  they  would 
have  perished  at  the  siege,  as  did  the  Jews;  instead  of  availing 
themselves  of  Christ's  warning,  which  ilieij  believed,  and  fled, 
and  were  saved.  They  put  the  true  construction  on  his  mer- 
ciful prediction;  and  when  they  saw  the  signs  of  the  times 
spoken  of  in  Matt.  xxiv.  they  took  refuge  in  Pella,  a  village 
in  the  neighbourhood,  and  were  exempt  from  the  horrors 
which  were  transacted  at  Jerusalem,  and  which  fell  on  the 
unbelieving  Jews.  So  now,  our  gracious  and  glorious  Head 
has  revived  this  prophetic  voice,  that  his  true  church  may  be 
apprised  of  "that  strange  act,"  which  he  is  about  to  bring  to 
pass  on  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  of  which  the  destruction 
of  Jerusalem  was  but  a  feeble  and  imperfect  type;  and,  not- 
withstanding all  the  infidel  scoffing  of  our  public  papers  and 
magazines,  and  the  cool  contempt  and  indifierence  of  false 
brethren,  the  true  church  xvill  eve?itiially  give  ear  to  it,  and  zcill 
make  ready  to  receive  her  Lord,  who  hath  himself  pronounced 
a  peculiar  blessing  on  those  whom,  when  he  comes,  he  shall 
find  thus  waiting  for  his  appearance:  "He  will  make  him 
lord  over  his  whole  household."  The  old  bottles  cannot 
easily  receive  the  new  wine:  yet  there  will  be  many,  who,  like 
the  guileless  Nathaniel,  hastily  question  if  "any  good  thing  can 
come  out  of  Nazareth,"  with  a  swelling  heart  will  afterwards 
exclaim,  "Thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  thou  art  the  King  of 
Israel." 

Aquilla.  I  acknowledge.  Philander,  that  in  concurring  with 
the  opinions  which  I  have  expressed,  I  have  probably  rather 
too  carelessly  received  the  common  notions  on  these  subjects, 
as  they  have  been  taught,  without  examining  how  far  they  are 
consistent  with  Scripture;  and  until  your  remark  suggested  it 
to  my  mind,  I  really  was  not  aware  how  ill  prepared  I  am  to 
give  a  sufficient  reason  why  the  latter  days  may  7iot  be  close  at 
hand. 

Philander.  I  have  little  doubt  but,  in  proportion  to  the  re- 
flection you  give  the  subject,  "you  will  be  convinced  of  the 
utter  fallacy  of  resting  on  such  unsupported  assertions.  A 
careful  examination  of  the  Prophecies  will  not  only  convince 
you  that  the  great  Head  of  the  church  intended  to  warn  his 
true  disciples,  when  these  latter  days  should  be  at  hand  which 
were  to  precede  the  deliverance  of  his  church,  but  that  every 
sign  spoken  of  by  our  Lord  himself,  or  his  Apostles,  is  mani- 


10  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

festly  before  our  eyes.  Look  at  the  political  state  of  the  Eu- 
ropean nations;  the  mystical  Babylon;  the  consummation  of 
that  wicked  apostacy;  the  state  of  the  East;  and  then  turn 
your  eyes  to  the  condition  of  the  professing  church  at  home, 
and  to  the  ripeness  for  judgment  which  we  see  every  where 
around  us,  and  ask  yourself  if  the  time  be  not  arrived,  spoken 
of  by  all  the  Prophets,  and  by  our  blessed  Lord  himself,  when 
the  church  is  directed,  after  discerning  these  signs,  to  "look 
up  and  lift  up  her  head,  for  her  redemption  draweth  nigh.  It 
is  even  at  the  doors." 

Our  infidel  newspapers  have  unwittingly  turned  commenta- 
tors of  Scripture,  fulfilling  the  predictions,  that  "men's  hearts 
should  fail  them;" — "looking  for  the  things  which  shall  come 
upon  the  earth."  And  even  in  this  privileged  land  of  ours, 
where  the  true  Gospel  is  preached,  can  you  not  apply  each 
verse,  as  you  read  it,  descriptive  of  these  last  times?  "This 
know  also,  that  in  the  last  days  perilous  times  shall  come," 
&c.  &c.  (2  Tim.  iii.  1.)  Let  us,  however,  see  what  light 
Scripture  will  throw  on  this  subject. — In  Gen.  xviii.  17.  we 
find  God  thus  addresses  Abraham,  who  at  that  time  constituted 
the  whole  of  the  visible  church;  "And  the  Lord  said.  Shall  I 
hide  from  Abraham  that  thing  which  I  do?" 

Jer.  xxiii.  20:  "In  the  latter  days  ye  shall  consider  it 
perfectly." 

Dan.  xii.  9,  10:  "Go  thy  way,  Daniel,  for  the  words  are 
closed  up  and  sealed  imtil  the  time  of  the  end,  and  none  of  the 
wicked  shall  understand,  hut  theu-ise  shall  imdersta?2d." 

Zech.  xiv.  5 — 7:  "And  the  Lord  my  God  shall  come,  and  all 
the  saints  with  thee;  and  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that 
the  light  shall  not  be  clear  nor  dark.  But  it  shall  be  one  day, 
which  shall  be  known  to  the  Lord;  not  day,  nor  night:  but  it 
shall  come  to  pass,  that  at  evening  time  it  shall  be  light." 

Hosea  says,  prophesying  of  that  day,  in  chap,  xiv.,  when 
God  will  heal  the  backsliding  of  Israel:  ninth  verse,  "Who 
is  wise,  and  he  shall  understand  these  things;  prudent,  and  he 
shall  know  them?" 

John  XV.  15:  ''Henceforth  I  call  you  not  servants;  for  the 
servant  knovveth  not  what  his  Lord  doeth:  but  I  have  called 
you  friends;  for  all  things  that  I  have  heard  of  my  Father  I 
have  made  known  unto  you." 

1  Thess.  v.  2 — 5:  "For  yourselves  know  perfectly  that  the 
day  of  the  Lord  so  cometh  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  For  when 
they  shall  say.  Peace  and  safety,  sudden  destruction  cometh 
upon  them.  But  ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness  that  that  day 
should  overtake  ?/0M  as  a  thief:  ye  are  all  the  children  of  light 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  X 1 

and  the  children  of  the  day;  zve  are  not  of  the  night  nor  of 
darkness." 

Rev.  i.  3:  "Blessed  is  he  that  readeth  and  they  that  hear 
the  words  of  this  prophecy,  and  keep  (observe)  those  things 
which  are  written  therein." 

To  the  above  quotations  may  be  added,  the  prophetic  cha- 
racter of  the  church,  since  its  commencement  in  faithful 
Abraham  down  to  the  Revelation  of  John,  and  which  prophetic 
office,  as  part  of  the  priestly,  the  church  has  not  lost,  neither 
will  it  wholly  lose  it,  although  its  faithlessness  has  well  nigh 
forgotten  it.  But  "  by  this  also  we  know  that  the  last  times 
are  come." 

Aquilla.  But  is  it  not  said,  "Of  that  day  and  hour  knoweth 
no  man;  no,  not  the  angels  in  heaven?"  (Matt.  xxiv.  36.) 
'How,  then,  can  we  presume  to  fix  so  momentous  a  period, 
after  such  a  prohibition  to  inquiry  on  this  subject  from  our 
Lord  himself? 

Philander.  I  am  astonished  that  such  texts  of  Scripture,  as 
you  have  now  quoted,  are  ever  produced  to  establish  the  opin- 
ions which  you  entertain;  for  it  is  very  remarkable,  that,  in 
every  instance  where  similar  passages  occur,  the  signs  of  the 
latter  times  are  given  with  peculiar  minuteness  and  force. 
Each  chapter  bearing  its  own  evidence,  that  they  were  in- 
tended to  warn  those  addressed,  that  it  was  not  for  them  ''to 
know  the  times  and  the  seasons,"  but  for  the  disciples  upon 
whom  the  ends  of  the  earth  should  come.  For  it  is  to  be  ob- 
served, that  Christ  never  reproved  his  disciples  for  making  the 
inquiry;  but  after  directing  their  attention  more  immediately 
to  their  own  time,  concluded  by  the  signs  of  the  latter  days. 
Christ  says  certainly,  "But  of  that  day  and  hour  knoweth  no 
man;  no,  not  the  angels  of  heaven;  but  my  Father  only;" 
and  therefore  I  believe,  of  that  darj  and  hour  no  man  or  angel 
will  know:  but  that  the  disciples  should  be  forewarned  of  the 
timej  we  cannot  but  conclude,  from  the  following  quotation 
from  the  same  chapter:  ''Now,  learn  a  parable  of  the  fig  tree: 
when  his  branch  is  yet  tender,  and  putteth  forth  leaves,  ye 
know  that  summer  is  nigh;  so  likewise  ye,  when  ye  shall  see 
all  these  things,  know  that  it  is  near,  even  at  the  doors. 
Verily,  I  say  unto  you.  This  generation  shall  not  pass,  till  all 
these  things  be  fulfilled."  By  which  last  verse  I  learn,  that, 
as  in  the  primary  fulfilment  of  this  prophecy,  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  Jerusalem,  the  judgment  almost  immediately  followed 
the  signs — so  in  the  last  consummation,  the  generation  in 
which  they  are  perceivable  to  us  will  not  pass,  before  we  see 
the  whole  accomplished. 


f^ 


12  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT, 

Many  have  objected  to  the  application  of  the  prediction  in 
this  xxivth  chapter  of  Matthew  to  the  destruction  of  Jerusa- 
lem, because  the  "Son  of  JNIan  was  not  seen  coming  in  the 
clouds  of  heaven,  with  power  and  great  glory:"  that  this  more 
especially  referred  to  the  second  advent,  is  really  granted;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  I  have  no  doubt  there  was  a  foreshewing 
at  that  period  also.  It  will  not  be  suspected  that  Josephus,  the 
Jewish  historian,  would  record  any  fact  that  he  supposed  would 
add  weight  to  the  authenticity  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ; 
to  whom  he  bore  so  unwilling,  yet  so  important  a  testimony 
in  his  writings:  yet  he  records  in  full,  that,  at  the  siege  of  Je- 
rusalem, and  all  over  the  country  of  Judea,  chariots  and  armies 
were  seen  fighting  in  the  clouds,  and  besieging  cities.  [See 
also  Tacitus  Hist.  lib.  5.  c.  13.] 

Aquilla.  And  do  you  then  deny  that  the  present  is  a  period 
of  great  "Gospel  light,"  and  that  much  progress  has  been  ef- 
fected in  circulating  Evangelical  truth? 

Philander.  There  can  be  no  question,  that,  within  the  last 
thirty  years,  the  knowledge  of  the  Scripture  has  been  much 
extended;  but  during  that  period,  religion  has  been  hi  fashion: 
its  outward  profession  required  few  restraints  but  what  would 
be  paid  by  regard  to  common  propriety  of  conduct.  The  per- 
secutions which  attended  our  fathers'  religious  career  have 
now  dwindled  into  tales  for  the  nursery;  and  the  consequence 
has  been,  during  that  period,  a  wide  extension  oi  religious  pro- 
fession, which  is  too  readily  mistaken  for  a  corresponding 
growth  of  vital  godliness.  But  the  conclusion  is  opposed  to 
the  experience  of  the  church,  since  its  formation;  and  against 
the  experience  of  human  nature,  since  its  creation.  Can  our 
soldiers  become  tried  and  hardy  veterans  by  the  state  of  inac- 
tion of  winter  quarters?  Have  our  sailors  obtained  their  cha- 
racter for  bold  and  noble  daring,  otherwise  than  by  becoming 
familiar  with  dangers  and  contention,  and  inured  to  toil?  Is 
a  state  of  ease  consistent  with  moral  improvement?  Has  not 
history  presented  us  with  an  answer?  Has  not  the  downfall 
of  every  empire  been  preceded  by  a  state  of  luxury  and  re- 
pose?— Methinks  I  can  trace  an  astonishing  resemblance  be- 
tween the  present  state  of  the  church  and  that  in  which  our 
Lord  found  it.  The  Pharisees  were  loudest  in  their  zeal  for 
the  glory  of  God,  when  they  took  up  stones  against  our  Sa- 
viour, who,  discerning  the  hypocrisy  of  their  zeal,  said  to  them, 
"If  God  were  your  Father,  then  would  you  love  me:  he  that 
is  of  God,  heareth  God's  words;  ye  therefore  hear  them  not, 
because  ye  are  not  of  God."  And  Satan  has  now  so  blended 
falsehood  with  truth,  which  has  ever  been  his  subtle  device, 
when  he  could  not  openly  oppose  it,  that  it  should  seem  almost 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  X3 

necessary,  in  the  absence  of  persecution  for  Christ,  to  give  some 
watchword  to  h  is  followers,  lest  theij  become  altogether  confound- 
ed by  this  strange  but  general  amalgamation.  And  what  if  that 
touchstone  of  true  discipleship  should  be,  "Behold  the  Bride- 
groom Cometh?"  The  wise  and  the  foolish  virgins  are  now  un- 
distinguished by  mortal  eye;  but  should  such  a  cry  arise  from  the 
church,  would  not  the  wise  virgins  straightway  arise,  trim  their 
lamps,  and  make  ready  to  meet  their  Lord?  whilst  the  foolish,  un- 
mindful of  the  summons,  would  slumber  on,  dreaming  of  their 
security,  until  they  awake  when  the  door  is  shut,  with  the 
despairing  cry  of  "Lord,  Lord,  open  unto  us:"  but,  alas!  it  will 
then  be  too  late;  for  when  he  invited,  they  turned  a  deaf  ear 
to  the  gracious  message;  and  now  the  door  is  forever  closed: 
"Because  I  have  called,  and  ye  refused;  1  have  stretched  out 
my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded;  but  yet  have  set  at  naught  all 
my  counsel,  and  would  none  of  my  reproof;  I  also  will  laugh 
at  your  calamity;  I  will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh."  Prov. 
i.  24 — 26.  My  brother,  that  summons  is  now  going  forth,  of 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  and  King,  from  more  than  "one  voice 
in  the  wilderness;"  that  the  once  despised  Nazarene  is  coming 
to  redeem  the  ignominy  of  his  church,  and  exalt  them  to  glory 
and  honour.  And  how  is  the  message  received?  Why,  those 
whose  professions  ought  to  induce  them  eagerly  to  welcome 
the  joyful  tidings,  are  ready  to  stone  the  heralds;  and  whilst 
vociferating  their  attachment  to  the  meek  and  lowly  Saviour, 
they  put  their  fingers  into  their  ears  (as  the  Jews  did  of  old), 
when  they  hear  of  the  expectation  of  his  near  approach,  as 
their  triumphant  King.  But  by  this  do  we  know  that  the  last 
times  are  come;  for  it  is  written,  "/«  ihe  last  days  there  shall 
come  scoffers,  saying,  "Where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming?" 
2  Peter  iii.  4. 

Aqidlla.  But  surely,  my  friend,  you  will  admit  that  preach- 
ing the  Cross  of  Christ  is  the  grand  and  fundamental  doctrine 
of  the  Gospel,  and  ought  to  be  kept  more  prominently  in  view 
than  any  other  Divine  truth. 

Philander.  Most  assuredly  it  should  be  so:  it  is  the  grand 
foundation  stone  of  the  building;  for  other  foundation  can  no 
man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ:"  but  the  foun- 
dation stone  is  not  the  superstructure;  and  I  protest  against  that 
constant  attention  to  one  portion  of  the  Gospel  to  the  utter 
exclusion  of  the  rest.  We  are  to  preach  not  merely  the  death 
of  Christ,  but,  "his  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  the  life 
everlasting."  But  are  we  to  suppose  human  nature  so  wonder- 
fully improved,  as  to  render  the  inquiry  wholly  unnecessary? 
"May  we  not  be  vehemently  contending  for  the  letter  of  a  doc- 
trine, whilst  its  spirit  may  be  unknown  to  us?"  Think  you, 
VOL.  III. — 7 


14 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT, 


my  brother,  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  who  sought  to  imbrue 
their  hands  in  the  blood  of  the  Lord  of  Life,  would  not  have 
considered  you  a  very  illiberal  and  ignorant  enthusiast,  had 
you  lived  in  those  times,  and  suggested  to  their  views  the  pos- 
sibility of  their  7zo^  being  influenced,  in  their  conduct,  by  pure 
zeal  for  the  true  worship  of  God?  Do  you  not  see  that  the 
Jewish  nation,  having  in  their  dispensation  the  forms  and  types 
of  the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  crucified  Him  who  was 
the  concentrated  object  of  them  all?  And  is  it  not  possible 
that  we,  whilst  contending  for  some  portion  of  our  dispensation, 
to  say,  by  our  conduct  and  in  our  hearts,  "^'We  will  not  have 
Him  to  reign  over  us?"  The  Jews  crucified  the  Prince  of 
Glory,  because  he  came  not  according  to  their  expectations  of 
his  advent,  although  it  was  fully  written  of,  in  their  Prophets; 
and  the  Gentile  church,  which,  it  is  evident,  is  likewise  to  end 
in  an  apostacy,  will  reject  Him  the  second  time,  because  he 
comes  not  as  their  Scribes  teach  them  to  expect  him.  The 
stumbling-block  of  the  Jews  was  his  humility;  the  stumbling- 
block  of  the  Gentiles  will  be  his  glory; — the  two  churches  thus 
forming  an  awful  analogy;  with  this  exception, — the  former, 
being  an  offence  against  the  Son,  will  be  forgiven;  but  the  lat- 
ter, constituting  the  rejection  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  spiritual 
dispensation,  will  not  be  forgiven.  In  each  case  the  visible 
church  regards  the  emblem,  and  discards  the  reality.  The 
Gentile  church  seems  as  much  blinded  to  the  mystery  of  its 
rejection,  as  the  Jewish  church  was  in  our  Lord's  time.  The 
Mosaic  economy  was  but  the  shadow  of  the  blessings  of  our 
Lord's  incarnation,  which  ushered  in  the  everlasting  Gospel: 
it  was  due,  and  was  therefore  first  offered,  to  the  Jews:  it  was 
''only  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel  that  Christ  was 
sent;"  for  "the  promise  was  unto  them  and  their  children;" 
but  they  rejected  the  gracious  offer.  And  it  was  therefore  of 
jiecessity  to  preserve  the  truth  on  the  earth,  that  God  should 
seek  another  depository.  The  Jews  refused  the  sacred  trust, 
and  God  turned  to  the  Gentiles.  The  glory  of  the  millennial 
kingdom  is  by  the  same  inheritance  peculiarly  the  promise  of 
the  Gentile  church;  and  to  them  there  will  be  ample  invitation 
to  enter  into  the  possession;  but  they  will  not  give  heed  to  the 
summons,  and  God  will  again  turn  to  his  ancient  people.  The 
Gospel!  The  Gospel!  is  as  much  shouted  nozu  as  "INIoses  and 
the  prophets"  were  of  old:  but  churches  lose  sight  of  the  true 
signification,  of  which  the  Law  first  and  then  the  Gospel  was 
the  precursor,  the  freedom  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  in  the 
former  case,  and  the  glorious  blessings  of  the  millennial  king- 
dom in  the  latter. 

The  present  church  is  like  the  Pharisees  of  old;  who  have 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  15 

come  "to  make  clean   the  outside  of  the  cup,  and  of  the  plat- 
ter; and  have  not  cleansed  that  first  which  is  within  the  cup, 
that  the  outside  may  be  clean  also."     This  cometh  of  looking 
to  man  rather  than  God.      ''Judge  not  according  to  the  appear- 
ance, but  judge  righteous  judgment."     Christ  said  he  ''judged 
no  man;"  and  yet  it  appears  to  me  that  every  man  now  is  sit- 
ting in  judgment  on  his  brother.     The  modern  church  seems 
to  have  wrested  the  power  from   the  hand  of  God,  and  each 
party  to   have  its  "Shibboleth;"   by  which  they  coolly  pro- 
nounce a  man  to  be  within,  or  exclude  him  from,  the  pale  of 
salvation.     If  this  be  a  truth,  where  are  God's  hidden  ones?" 
If  they  are  to  be  found  amongst  those  of  most  reputed  sanctity 
in  the  religious  world,  God  in  these  last  days  hath  changed  his 
dispensations.     There  was  but  one  family  saved  in  Jericho,  and 
that  was  a  harlot's.     Ten  men  were  cleansed  from  leprosy,  and 
only  one  returned  to  give  thanks  unto  God,  and  he  was  a  de- 
spised Samaritan.     Christ  chose  a  blind  beggar  to   testify  his 
name  before  the  Jewish  Sanhedrim;  and  passing  by  the  master 
in  Israel,  who  came  to  inquire  of  him,  he  revealed  the  mystery 
of  his  being  the  Son  of  God,  to  a  "woman  of  Samaria,  who  was 
a  sinner."     In  a  word,  whilst  the  Pharisees,  who  stood  high  in 
reputation,  in  the  estimation  of  man,  rejected  Christ,  he  found 
disciples  prepared   to   receive  him  in  publicans  and  sinners. 
And  think  you,  Aquilla,  there  are  no  Pharisees  now  to  reject  the 
second  coming,  and  no  publicans  and  sinners  to  receive  it? 

One  of  the  many  evil  consequences  resulting  from  this  de- 
marcation is,  that  those  who  have  passed  the  ordeal,  and  are 
admitted  within  the  invisible  rendered  visible  by  man;  are  apt 
to  rest  too  securely  in  that,  which  at  best  is  but  the  mere  ap- 
pi'obation  of  their  fellow-sinners,  which  I  find  no  where  in 
Scripture  inculcated,  but  the  reverse;  for  it  is  written,  "Woe 
unto  you  when  all  men  speak  well  of  you;"  and  thus  they 
rarely  suspect  that  their  hearts  may  be  wholly  estranged  from 
God;  and  devoted  to  this  world,  notwithstanding  a  most  con- 
sistent walk  in  the  sight  of  man.  It  is  a  great  mistake,  and 
pregnant  with  much  evil;  to  suppose  that  we  are  to  find  the 
Pharisees  of  the  present  period  answer  to  the  same  descrip- 
tion of  character  that  called  forth  so  much  of  the  censure  of  our 
Lord.  The  hypocrite  of  a  carnal  dispensation  was  a  carnal 
reprobate,  and  the  hypocrite  of  a  spiritual  dispensation  will  be 
found  to  be  a  spiritual  reprobate. 

Aquilla.  You  have  drawn,  Philander,  a  touching  picture  of 
the  present  era  of  the  church,  in  your  comparison  with  its  state 
at  the  termination  of  the  Jewish  economy;  and,  I  acknowledge, 
with  more  appearance  of  assimilation  than  I  could  imagine 
them  capable  of  bearing.     If  such  a  picture  be  true,  it  is  an 


1(3  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

awful  one  indeed;  and  I  will  confess  that  I  have  been  much 
impressed  with  the  strong  disinclination  that  exists  in  the 
minds  of  professing  Christians,  upon  the  subject  of  the  second 
advent;  but  how  is  it  that  so  many  learned  and  pious  divines 
have  erred  in  these  things?  Upon  what  principle  can  it  be  ac- 
counted for? 

Phila?ider.  Because  they  have  "made  the  Scriptures  of  none 
effect  by  their  traditions,"  falling  into  that  error  against  which 
St.  Paul  cautioned  the  Colossians:  "Beware  lest  any  man  spoil 
you  through  philosophy  and  vain  deceit,  after  the  traditions  of 
men,  after  the  rudiments  of  the  world,  and  not  after  Christ." 
Col.  ii.  S.  The  Mosaic  economy  was  not  more  incumbered  by 
Talmudical  fables,  than  our  Christian  faith  is  perverted  from 
the  simple  word  of  God.  You  will  find  the  first  inquiry  now, 
not.  What  saith  the  word  of  God  on  this  subject?  but,  What 

saith  Mr.  A ,  or  Dr.  B. ?  ^'Have  the  rulers  believed  on 

Him?"  Thus  have  we,  like  the  Jews  of  old,  allowed  the  tra- 
ditions of  the  Fathers  and  the  precepts  of  men  to  be  regarded 
as  a  better  standard  of  orthodox  faith  than  the  Spirit  of  God,  ' 
as  discerned  in  his  word;  and  few  are  aware  how  unsupported 
the  general  opinions  are,  on  scriptural  evidence,  until  they 
bring  them  to  that  test.  "Have  ye  never  read.  Out  of  the 
mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  thou  hast  perfected  praise?" 
Matt.  xxi.  16. 

1  protest  against  this  system  of  pinning  our  faith  on  the  sleeve 
of  other  men,  and  our  opinions  to  the  most  popular  magazines 
and  reviews;  which  latter,  I  maintain,  have  quite  a  contrary 
effect  to  what  is  alleged.  Instead  of  increasing  and  diffusing 
real  knowledge,  it  reduces  the  number  of  those  who  otherwise 
would  think  for  themselves.  I  grant  it  does  extend  a  sort  of 
colloquial — superficial — information  which  passes  in  society,  and 
which  a  man  may  soon  acquire  from  our  periodicals,  and  practise 
with  a  tolerable  share  of  assurance.  But  surely  such  thinking 
and  judging,  however  it  may  answer  the  temporary  purpose  of 
the  men  of  this  world,  ought  not  to  be  named  amongst  Chris- 
tians; yet  still  nothing  is  more  common  than  to  have  judgment 
pronounced  on  a  work  of  the  most  vital  importance,  merely 
because  it  may  have  been  severely  criticized  by  a  Review,  not 
thinking  that  it  is  possible  a  religious  work  may  be  reviewed  by 
an  irreligious  man,  and  therefore  a  most  incompetent  person. 
"Spiritual  things  are  spiritually  discerned:"  unless,  indeed, 
you  maintain  that  a  subject  of  religion  may  be  handled  equally 
well  by  an  individual  merely  qualified  by  talent,  as  may  any 
scientific  or  philosophical  question;  an  idea  so  monstrous,  how- 
ever prevalent,  that  argument  is  thrown  away  in  attempting 
to  remove  it.     But  this  is  only  one  of  the  manifestations  of 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  J7 

that  infidelity,  with  which  the  whole  mass  of  society  is  in- 
fected. 

Every  review  that  I  have  read  on  this  subject  has  rather 
been  a  review  of  the  writer  than  the  work.  The  latter  has  been 
generally  quickly  dismissed,  to  give  place  to  cutting  sarcasm 
and  bittter  irony.  But  "rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad:  for 
great  is  your  reward  in  heaven;  for  so  persecuted  they  the 
prophets  which  were  before."  It  ever  has  been  thus,  and  ever 
will  be,  towards  those  who  will  boldly  declare  the  truth  in  the 
midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse  generation. 

Aquilla.  Will  you  state  to  me  the  principal  points  in  which 
you  consider  the  present  belief  to  be  inconsistent  with  scrip- 
tural testimony? 

Philander.  With  much  pleasure;  and  in  placing  before  you 
the  dissimilarity  in  the  doctrines  taught  by  the  ''precepts  of 
men,"  and  those  which  I  conceive  are  the  true  meaning  of  the 
Spirit,  and  which  I  believe  was  clearly  defined  and  understood 
by  the  apostles  of  our  Lord,  and  the  fathers  in  the  first  ages  of 
the  church,  I  cannot  adopt  a  better  or  clearer  mode  of  distinc- 
tion than  my  stating  by  own  former  opinions,  in  opposition  to 
those  which  I  now  entertain,  and  which,  I  believe,  will  contain, 
with  tolerable  accurac}^,  the  creed  of  the  majority  of  our  pro- 
fessing Christians;  for  which,  you  are  aware,  my  friend,  I 
was  once  a  most  strenuous  advocate — "a  Pharisee  of  the  Phari- 
sees." 

The  material  points,  I  think,  will  be  found  in  the  following 
three  heads;  and  if  I  am  incorrect  in  stating  them,  you  will  be 
good  enough  to  suggest  wherein  I  am  in  error. 

First,  That  the  whole  habitable  globe  is  to  be  gradually 
evangelized,  and  that  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  pre- 
sent popular  religious  societies;  and  that  no  judgments  are  to  be 
inflicted  on  the  living,  before  the  end  of  the  zcorld,  because  the 
inhabitants,  progressively  increasing  in  virtue  and  religion,  are 
proportionably  advancing  in  the  divine  favour. 

Secondly,  That  when  at  length  the  ''end  of  the  world" 
arrives,  the  general  resurrection  will  take  place,  of  the  just  and 
of  the  unjust. 

Thirdly,  That  after  the  day  of  judgment,  which  is  generally 
understood  to  comprise  a  period  of  time  (if  not  exactly  con- 
fined to  a  duration  of  twenty-four  hours,  yet  only  sufficient  to 
award  the  final  destiny  of  each  soul,)  the  present  world  will  be 
utterly  consumed,  burnt  up,  and  annihilated,  and  the  souls  of 
believers  will  "go  up  into  heaven  with  Christ;  and  the  souls  of 
unbelievers  will  depart  into  hell,  with  the  devil  and  his  angels." 

Before  proceeding  to  state  my  belief  on  the  above  highly 
7* 


13  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

important  and  interesting  topics,  will  you  correct  me  if  I  have 
in  any  respect  misstated  them? 

Aquilla.  I  have  nothing  to  object  to  in  your  statement  of  our 
belief;  and  I  am  prepared  to  listen,  with  much  attention,  to  any 
arguments  you  may  adduce,  in  support  of  a  contrary  position; 
I  think  you  will  find  it  somewhat  difficult  to  confute  our  sys- 
tem, considering  that  it  has  received  the  sanction  of  the  divines 
of  the  present  and  many  preceding  ages,  and  forms,  indeed, 
the  general  belief  of  the  church  of  Christ." 

Philander.  You  say  well,  Aquilla,  in  "many  of  the  preced- 
ing ages,"  which  I  unhesitatingly  admit;  but  I  must  find  abet- 
ter and  a  higher  authority  than  the  sanction  of  our  holy  fathers 
in  the  church.  I  will  admit  no  argument  drawn  from  a  cor- 
ruptible and  fallible  source,  whilst  1  can  resort  to  the  same 
high  and  unerring  channel  from  which  they  draw  all  their 
knowledge. 

I  will  not  yield,  therefore,  to  the  authority  of  fathers,  when 
I  can  go,  like  them,  to  the  book  of  God,  and  have  the  same 
liberty  of  access  to  his  directing  and  all-sufficient  Spirit,  to  give 
me  discernment.  But,  allowing  this  authority  to  be  good, 
(and,  unquestionably,  it  is  much  to  be  respected,  in  the  absence 
of  all  higher,)  the  argument  you  ought  to  deduce  from  it,  is 
quite  opposite  from  that  which  you  h^ve  drawn.  It  proves, 
on  careful  examination,  the  very  reverse;  for  is  it  not  to  be  ad- 
mitted that  the  purest  doctrines  would  be  found  in  those  autho- 
rities of  the  church,  who  lived  nearest  to  the  period  in  which 
the  Christian  Religion  was  established?  And  but  a  slight 
acquaintance  with  the  history  of  the  writings  of  the  earliest  fa- 
thers immediately  succeeding  the  apostles  themselves  will  fur- 
nish the  reader  with  ample  evidence,  that,  if  we,  eighteen  hun- 
dred years  after  the  foundation  of  our  religion,  can  look  back 
to  accumulating  centuries  of  increasing  error,  "as  good  autho- 
rity" for  persisting  in  our  blindly  adhering  to  the  precepts  of 
men,  rather  than  give  heed  to  the  words  of  God,  it  was  neither 
their  practice  nor  their  belief. 

Indeed,  it  is  well  known  to  those  acquainted  with  church 
history,  that  these  doctrines  which  are  now  designated  by  the 
epithet  of  "New  Light"  were  the  universal  and  undisputed 
belief  of  the  first  three  centuries  of  the  Christian  church;  and 
it  continued  so,  until  the  doctrine  of  the  Millenarians  became 
abused  by  wicked  heretics,  and  the  council  which  was  called 
to  put  down  the  gross  heresies  which  were  then  taught,  in 
sinking  the  base  superstructure,  destroyed  the  foundation  itself: 
in  their  resolute  zeal  to  sweep  away  the  error,  they  likewise 
struck  down  the  truth. 

Aquilla.  Before  entering  further  into  the   discussion,    will 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  19, 

you  be  good  enough  to  state  simply  your  opinions,  as  opposed 
to  the  articles  of  belief  which  you  have  just  named? 

Philander.  I  beg  pardon  for  my  digression,  but  rest  assured, 
that  none  will  ever  truly  comprehend  the  glorious  mysteries 
which  they  contain,  until  the  Spirit  of  truth  gives  them  dis- 
cernment, and  "anoints  their  eyes  with  eye-salve,  that  they 
may  see;"  as  it  is  written  in  Isa.  xxviii.  9,  "Whom  shall  he 
teach  knowledge,  and  whom  shall  he  make  to  understand  doc- 
trine? Those  that  are  weaned  from  the  milk,  and  drawn  from 
the  breast."  Isai.  xxix.  IS:  "Surely  shall  the  deaf  hear  the 
words  of  the  book,  and  the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  see  out  of 
obscurity,  and  out  of  darkness:  they  also  that  erred  in  spirit 
shall  come  to  understanding;  and  they  that  are  unlearned, 
shall  learn  doctrine." 

Endeavour  to  become  a  fool  in  your  own  eyes,  that  you 
may  receive  heavenly  wisdom:  this  is  the  first  important  les- 
son, ere  we  are  prepared  for  the  Divine  teaching,  "If  thy  eye 
be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  lig.ht. "  "The  fear 
of  the  Lord  is  but  the  beginning  of  wisdom." 

In  opposition  to  the  first,  it  is  my  belief  that  the  Scriptures 
teach,  that  the  object  which  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  is  in- 
tended to  effect,  in  our  dispe?isatio7i,  is  for  a  zuitness  against  the 
naiions;  and  ?iot  to  convert  them;  and  that  the  world  will 
gradually  increase  in  wickedness  and  crime,  but  more  particu- 
larly that  portion  of  the  habitable  globe  the  Roman  earth, 
which  contains  the  Papal  Apostacy,  until  God  shall  be  able  no 
longer  to  endure  such  monstrous  depravity,  and  "shall  come 
out  of  his  place  to  punish  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth;"  which 
he  will  do — first,  by  heavy  visitations  of  his  providence,  on 
the  papal  nations,  and  then,  more  manifestl}-,  by  the  appearance 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  consume  the  remnant  with 
the  infidel  Antichrist,  "by  the  brightness  of  his  coming."  In 
producing  my  authorities  from  the  word  of  God,  I  beg  you  to 
observe,  that  I  quote  such  texts,  not  as  isolated  proofs  in  sup- 
port of  my  own  particular  opinions  and  tenets,  but  such  as  I 
believe  to  express  the  "mind  of  the  Spirit,"  for  which  we 
are  to  search  the  Scriptures;  for  I  maintain,  that  there  is  no 
error  so  pernicious,  and  which  has  proved  so  productive  of  evil 
consequences  in  the  church,  as  that  opinion,  "That  where  a 
text  can  be  produced,  there  a  doctrine  may  be  founded." 
Scripture  must  be  quoted  to  support  Scripture,  and  not  to  op- 
pose it:  neither  can  I  admit  any  inferences  deduced  from 
single  texts,  if  I  do  not  see  the  particular  doctrine  inculcated, 
from  Genesis  to  Revelation;  and  therefore  3'ou  will  not  fall  into 
the  error,  that  the  scriptural  proofs  which  I  now  quote  are  the 
only  instances  which  occur  in  support  of  my  belief.      I  produce 


20  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

them,  more  as  expressions  and  declarations  of  doctrines,  to 
which  I  find  the  whole  of  the  Scriptures  strictly  corresponds. 
The  following  passages,  I  think,  are  all  in  which  Christ  has 
accompanied  his  command,  of  preaching  the  Gospel  to  all  na- 
tions, with  any  approach  to  explanation  for  what  end  it  was 
intended;  and  here  it  may  be  observed  how  gracious  it  was 
to  withhold  a  knowledge  of  the  ill  success,  according  to 
man's  apprehension,  that  would  attend  his  obedience  to  the 
heavenly  mandate,  until  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  should  be 
fulfilled,  when  this  mystery  should  be  understood. 

Matthew  xxiv.  14:  "And  this  Gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall 
be  preached  in  all  the  world,  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations, 
and  then  shall  the  end  come." 

Luke  xxiv.  47,  48:  "x'Vnd  that  repentance  and  remission  of 
sin  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  begin- 
ningat  Jerusalem;  and  ye  are  witnesses  of  these  things." 

Acts  i.  S:  "And  ye  shall  receive  power,  after  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  is  come  upon  you:  and  ye  shall  be  witnesses  unto  me, 
both  in  Jerusalem  and  in  all  Judea,  and  in  Samaria,  and  unto 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth." 

Mark  xvi.  15,  16:  "Go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
Gospel  unto  every  creature.  lie  that  believeth  and  is  bap- 
tized, shall  be  saved;  but  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be 
damned." 

To  assist  us  in  attaching  the  true  meaning  to  the  above,  let 
us  consult  other  parts  of  Scripture,  and  commence  with  the 
prophetic  inquiry  of  our  blessed  Lord  himself — 

Luke  xviii.  8:  "Nevertheless,  when  the  Son  of  man  cometh, 
shall  he  find  faith  upon  the  earth?" 

Psalm  ii.  2,  9:  "The  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselves,  and 
the  rulers  take  counsel  together  against  the  Lord,  and  against 
his  anointed,  saying,  Let  us  break  their  bands  asunder,  and 
cast  away  their  cords  from  us.  Thou  shalt  break  them  with 
arod  of  iron:  thou  shalt  dash  them  in  pieces  like  a  potter's 
vessel." 

Psalm  xlv.  51:  "Gird  thy  sword  upon  thy  thigh,  0  most 
mighty!  Thine  arrows  are  sharp  in  the  heart  of  the  king's 
enemies,  whereby  the  people  do  fall  under  thee. 

Isaiah  xxiv:  "Behold,  the  Lord  maketh  the  earth  empty, 
and  maketh  it  waste,  and  turneth  it  upside  down,  and  scattereth 
abroad  the  inhabitants  thereof.  The  land  shall  be  utterly 
emptied,  and  utterly  spoiled:  the  haughty  people  of  the  earth 
do  languish:  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  burned,  and  few 
men  left.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  Lord 
shall  punish  the  host  of  the  high  ones  that  are  on  high,  and  the 
kings  of  the  earth  tipon  the  earth.'^     In  what  day? — Ver.  23: 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  21 

"When  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  reign  in  mount  Zion,  and  in 
Jerusalem,  and  before  his  ancients  gloriously." 

Isaiah  xiii.  9 — 12:  "Behold,  the  day  of  the  Lord  comethj 
cruel  both  with  wrath  and  fierce  anger,  to  lay  the  land  desolate; 
and  shall  destroy  the  sinners  thereof  out  of  it.  I  will  make  a 
man  more  precious  than  fine  gold;  even  a  man  than  the  golden 
wedge  of  Ophir." 

Isaiah  xxxiv:  "Let  the  earth  hear;  and  all  that  is  therein: 
for  the  indignation  of  the  Lord  is  upon  all  nations;  his  fury 
upon  all  their  armies:  the  sword  of  the  Lord  is  filled  with 
blood;  for  it  is  the  day  of  the  Lord's  vengeance,  and  the  year 
of  recompense  for  the  controversy  of  Zion." 

Joel  iii.  13:  "Put  ye  in  the  sickle;  for  the  harvest  is  ripe: 
come,  get  ye  down;  for  the  press  is  full,  the  fats  overflow,  for 
their  wickedness  is  great." 

Isaiah  xxvi.  20,  21:  "Come,  my  people,  enter  thou  into  thy 
chambers,  and  shut  thy  doors  about  thee:  hide  thyself  as  it 
were  for  a  little  moment,  until  the  indignation  be  overpast. 
For,  behold,  the  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place  to  punish  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  their  iniquity." 

2  Thess.  i.  7,  8:  "When  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed 
from  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels,  in  flaming  fire,  taking 
vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the 
Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

2  Thess.  ii.  7,  8:  "For  the  mystery  of  iniquity  doth  al- 
ready work:  only  he  who  now  lelteth,  will  let,  until  he  be  taken 
out  of  the  way^  And  then  shall  that  Wicked  be  revealed, 
whom  the  Lord  shall  consume  with  the  Spirit  of  his  mouth, 
and  shall  destroy  with  the  brightness  of  his  coming:  even  him 
whose  coming  is  after  the  working  of  Satan,  with  all  power 
and  signs  and  lying  wonders." 

Rev.  xi.  18:  "And  the  nations  were  angry;  and  thy  wrath 
is  come,  and  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should  be  judged, 
and  that  thou  shouldest  give  reward  unto  thy  servants  the  pro- 
phets, and  to  the  saints,  and  them  that  fear  thy  name,  small 
and  great,  and  shouldest  destroy  them  which  destroy  the 
earth." 

Rev.  xvi.  19:  "And  the  great  city  was  divided  into  three 
parts,  and  the  cities  of  the  nations  fell:  and  great  Babylon 
came  into  remembrance  before  God,  to  give  unto  her  the  cup 
of  the  wine  of  the  fierceness  of  his  wrath.  And  there  fell 
upon  men  a  great  hail  out  of  heaven,  and  men  blasphemed 
God  because  of  the  plague  of  the  hail:  for  the  plague  thereof 
was  exceedingly  great." 

I  have  no   illustration  to  oSer  to  the  above.     I   simply  ask 
y,     the  question,  who,  believing  in  the  Divine  inspiration  of  the 


22  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

Bible,  reading  attentively  the  above  passages  and  their  con- 
texts; and  all  Scripture  breathes  the  same  strain;  who  can 
maintain,  in  opposition  to  the  direct  word  of  God,  ihat,  when 
Christ  cometh,  he  will  find  the  world  evangelized?  Are  not 
the  contrary  conclusions  obvious,  that  there  will  be  so  little 
faith  as  to  make  it  a  question  if  there  be  even  any?  And  who 
will  affirm,  that  when  he  comes,  he  will  not  come  in  judgment? 
If  you  persist  in  your  present  belief,  you  contradict  the  testi- 
mony of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Aquilla.  You  appear  to  have  made  out  a  very  strong  case; 
and  though  I  am  not  prepared  to  refute  your  conclusions,  yet, 
previously  to  my  yielding  my  assent  to  them,  I  should  like  to 
ponder  over  the  matter.  Indeed,  I  think  hasty  changes,  both 
of  opinions  and  characters,  are  generally  to  be  regarded  with 
some  degree  of  doubt.  I  refer  more  particularly  to  the  subject 
of  religion,  wherein  observation  has  taught  me  to  prefer  the 
gradual,  it  may  be  apparently  slow,  growth  of  the  Christian 
character,  to  that  hasty  assumption  of  Christian  experience 
which  we  sometimes  find  in  3'oung  converts. 

Philander.  I  fully  accede  to  the  propriety  of  your  remarks; 
and  I  am  more  satisfied  with  your  assurance  to  ''ponder  over 
the  matter,"  than  by  an  immediate  concurrence  with  my 
opinions.  I  wish  I  could  obtain  the  ear  of  as  patient  listeners 
as  my  friend  has  proved  himself;  and  I  am  well  assured  I 
should  at  least  secure  sincere  examiners.  And  let  us  not  for- 
get the  example  of  the  Bereans,  "who  were  more  noble  than 
those  at  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received  the  word  with  all 
readiness  of  mind,  and  searched  the  Scriptures  daily,  whether 
those  things  were  so;  and  therefore^^  (it  is  recorded)  "many  of 
them  believed." — But  to  proceed:  The  common  expression, 
the  "e?zf/  of  the  rcorld,"  and  which  is  understood  to  mean  its 
conflagration  and  annihilation,  I  believe  has  been  elsewhere* 
satisfactorily  proved  to  be  the  end  of  this  "age''  or  "dispensa- 
tion,'' and  not  of  the  material  visible  world,  which,  I  shall  have 
to  prove,  in  my  answer  under  the  third  head,  is  ?iot  to  be  an- 
nihilated. My  purpose  I  now  confine  to  produce  scriptural 
evidence,  that,  at  that  period,  which  all  will  admit  is  at  the 
next  coming  of  our  blessed  Lord,  the  general  resurrection  does 
not  take  place,  but  the  first  resurrection  07dy,  perfectly  distinct 
from  the  second,  or  general  resurrection,  both  as  respects  time 
and  character,  inasmuch  as  the  first  applies  to  the  saints  only, 
and  is  at  the  commencement  of  the  J\lille?inium;  and  the 
second  includes  all  that  have  ever  lived  upon  the  earth,  and 

*  See  Ba«iliciis'  Letters  on  the  Scriptural  Expectation  of  the  Church.  See 
Vol.  1st  of  the  Literalist. 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  23 

takes  place  at  the  end  of  the  Millennium.  Under  this  head,  I 
shall  not  occupy  much  of  your  time  by  various  quotations  from 
Scripture,  contenting  myself  with  only  one,  which  is  so  dis- 
tinct and  conckisive,  that,  if  language  means  any  thing  at  all, 
two  opinions  can  scarcely  be  supposed  to  exist  upon  the  inter- 
pretation of  this  passage,  however  others  may  be  open  to  the 
ingenuity  of  those  who  are  determined  to  wrest  the  Scriptures 
to  suit  their  own  views.  And  here  I  cannot  refrain  from  re- 
marking, with  what  little  consistency  the  charge  rests  on  us, 
of  explaining  the  word  of  God  to  apply  to  particular  doctrines, 
and  with  how  much  greater  propriety  the  accusation  remains 
on  our  accusers;  for  it  is  the  very  principle  of  our  interpreta- 
tion, that  its  plain  and  obvious  meaning  is  to  be  taken  literally, 
unless  the  connexion  points  out  its  figurative  character.  We 
do  not  constrain,  but  rather  endeavour  to  prevent  constraint. 
The  passage  to  which  I  will  refer  you  is  Rev.  xx.  4,  5:  "And 
I  saw  thrones,  and  they  sat  upon  them,  and  judgment  was 
given  unto  them:  and  I  saw  the  souls  of  them  that  were  be- 
headed for  the  witness  of  Jesus,  and  for  the  word  of  God,  and 
which  had  not  worshipped  the  beast,  neither  his  image,  neither 
had  received  his  mark  upon  their  foreheads  or  in  their  hands; 
and  they  lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand  years. 
But  the  rest  of  the  dead  lived  not  again,  until  the  thousand 
years  were  finished.  This  is  the  first  resurrection." — Such 
a  plain  declaration  needs  no  attempt  at  explanation;  and  when 
I  find  nothing  in  Scripture  to  oppose  the  only  intelligible  con- 
clusion which  every  one  must  draw  from  such  a  simple  and 
unequivocal  statement  of  facts,  but,  on  the  contrary,  collateral 
proofs  in  support  of  it,  I  feel  no  hesitation  in  believing  the 
words  of  that  book,  which  I  hold  in  my  faith  with  more  reve- 
rence because  it  is  our  blessed  Lord  himself,  the  great  Head  of 
the  church,  who  has  peculiarly  identified  himself  with  it;  and 
that  he  regards  it  as  more  highly  important  than  any  previous 
prophetic  communication  we  may  collect  from  the  prefatory 
blessing  pronounced  on  him  "that  readeth  and  they  that  hear 
the  words  of  this  prophecy"  (Rev.  i.  3),  and  the  concluding 
denunciation  on  "any  man  that  shall  take  awa}^  from  the  words 
of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,"  in  Rev.  xxii.  19.  Until  good 
and  sufficient  reasons  therefore  are  rendered  me,  why  I  should 
attach  a  different  interpretation  to  what  the  words  evidently 
convey,  I  am  content  to  rest  my  belief  on  this  declaration  of 
my  blessed  Lord  himself;  and  that,  at  the  first  resurrection, 
only  the  saints  will  be  raised,  and  be  re-united  to  their  glori- 
ous bodies,  and  "will  reign  with  Christ  a  thousand  years  on 
the  earth;"  and  this  is  that  glorious  King  "who  shall  reign  in 
righteousness,"  and  these  are  those  "princes  who  shall  rule  in 


24  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

judgment"  (Is.  xxxii.  1),  spoken  of  by  all  the  Prophets,  the 
burden  of  every  inspired  writer  from  Moses  to  St.  John.  I 
fear  to  enlarge  on  this  soul-reviving  object  of  our  hope  and 
expectation — the  exchange  of  this  "corruptible  for  incorrup- 
tion," — lest  the  interesting  inquiry  should  induce  me  to  wan- 
der from  my  present  purpose,  yet  I  am  bold  to  affirm,  that 
there  is  no  opinion  so  false  as  that  we  hear  continually  urged 
in  this  age  of  pretension,  than  that  these  things  form  part  of 
the  hidden  mysieries  of  God,  which  we  are  not  to  presume  to 
search  into.  The  arch  deceiver!  he  knows  they  are  our  most 
valuable  jewels;  and,  as  his  custom  is,  he  leaves  us  to  amuse 
ourselves  with  fancied  treasures,  whilst  his  arts  are  directed 
to  conceal  from  our  view  the  'Hrue  riches.'" — There  is  much 
revealed  on  this  subject,  as  well  as  upon  many  others  deeply 
interesting  to  the  Christian,  purposely  hid  from  the  careless  in- 
different inquirer,  but  which  God,  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  whose 
express  office  it  is  to  "shew  things  to  come"  (John  xvi.  13), 
will  reveal  to  those  who  inquire  reverently,  with  simplicity  of 
mind,  and  singleness  of  eye.  My  brother,  God  forbid  that 
we  should  be  like  those  Hebrews  who  needed  "to  be  taught 
again  which  be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God;  and 
become  such  as  have  need  of  milk,  and  not  of  strong  meat." 
Why  should  we  continue  children  in  knowledge  all  our  lives? 
And  if  we  wish  to  learn  what  this  strong  meat  consisted  of, 
let  us  consult  St.  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  and  we  shall 
find  that  it  was  no  other  than  this  despised  doctrine  of  the 
Melchizedec  reign  of  Christ  on  the  earth:  see  chap.  v. — vii.; 
of  which  Paul  acknowledges  to  the  Hebrews,  "They  are 
things  hard  to  be  uttered,  seeing  they  were  dull  of  hearing;" 
and  St.  Peter  assures  us  likewise,  that  these  "things  were 
hard  to  be  understood."  What  wonder  is  it  then,  that,  if  the 
primitive  Christians  could  scarcely  attain  sufficient  spiritual 
strength  to  feed  on  such  food,  and  were  for  their  weakness  re- 
proved by  the  tvi^o  apostles,  that  the  church,  in  its  present 
sickly  condition,  should  reject  such  food  as  wholly  incompa- 
tible to  its  digestive  powers?  What  wonder  that  we  who  can 
scarcely  take  milk  should  refuse  strong  meat! 

Aquilla.  The  passage  you  have  quoted  from  Revelations  ap- 
pears to  carry  with  it  conviction  on  this  point;  and  I  cannot 
withhold  my  full  consent  to  your  deductions.  I  am  anxious 
to  hear  how  you  establish  your  opinion  of  the  continued  exist- 
ence of  this  globe.  At  the  same  time,  I  protest  against  any 
alterations  of  our  English  version:  I  think  too  much  respect 
cannot  be  paid  to  our  present  translation. 

Philander.  Forgive  me,  my  dear  Aquilla,  if  I  differ  from  you 
in  your  last  observation:  too  much  respect  may  be  extended  to 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  25 

our  or  to  any  version  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  I  would  ap- 
proach such  ground  reverently,  and  observe  a  most  jealous  cau- 
tion: yet  I  would  rather  be  influenced  by  a  pure  desire  to 
learn  "the  mind  of  the  Spirit,"  than  pay  undue  deference 
to  any  version  authorized  by  man.  Our  translation  is  so  ex- 
cellent and  generally  so  correct  that  I  should  tremble  to  see 
any  revision  attempted;  and  yet  it  would  betray  a  blind  and 
ignorant  prejudice,  to  pronounce  it  faultless:  and  where  a  few 
mistranslations  can  be  detected  by  the  classical  scholar,  they 
are  such  as  not  to  affect,  in  the  slightest  manner,  the  grand  doc- 
trines of  salvation;  but,  on  the  contrary,  a  more  correct  ren- 
dering would  make  many  important  passages  unanswerable, 
which  are  now  open  to  the  doubts  and  obscurities  of  the  scep- 
tic. I  will  instance  one  passage  in  support  of  my  observation; 
the  expression  in  2  Pet.  i.  1;  "of  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,"  should  have  been  thus  translated,  "of  God  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ;"  and  it  has  been  well  observed,  "that  St.  Peter  calls 
Jesus  God,  in  the  most  proper  term."*  And  this  same  error 
has  occurred  in  many  other  of  the  Epistles,  which,  if  corrected, 
would  furnish  every  Christian,  however  illiterate,  with  a  ready 
answer  to  the  sophistry  of  the  Socinians.  It  has  been  most 
clearly  proved,  that  in  very  many  instances  in  which  "world^^ 
occurs  in  the  New  Testament,  it  does  not  mean  this  visible 
world;  but,  variously,  the  class  of  men  usually  denominated 
the  world,  in  contradistinction  to  the  Church.  In  this  sense 
we  are  to  understand  Christ,  when  he  says,  in  John  xvii.  9,  •'I 
pray  for  them  (his  disciples):  I  pray  not  for  the  world,"  or, 
we  interpret  the  term,  the  Roman  earth;  as  in  Luke  ii.  1: 
"And  it  came  to  pass  in  those  days,  that  there  went  out  a  de- 
cree from  Csesar  Augustus,  that  all  the  world  should  be  taxed." 
Now,  it  is  very  evident  that  Augustus  could  not  tax  all  the 
world,  for  only  a  portion  of  it  was  known  to  the  Romans  at 
that  time;  and  could  refer  to  no  other  nation,  knovvn  or  un- 
known, which  was  not  under  the  Roman  government.  Also, 
in  Heb.  ix.  26,  the  original  word  does  not  convey  the  meaning 
which  we  attach  to  "/Ae  world:''  it  should  be  thus;  "Now 
once  in  the  end  of  the  age  (or  dispensation)  hath  he  appeared, 
to  put  away  sin,  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself"  I  offer  these 
observations,  because  I  think  many  good  people  possess  a 
species  of  idolatry  for  the  English  translation  of  the  word  of 
God;  preferring  it  to  "the  mind  of  the  Spirit,"  which  ought 
to  be  more  highly  reverenced  than  any  human  authority. 

These  observations  introduce  me  to  the  third  head  of  doc- 
trine, wherein  I  shall  have  to  maintain  that  this  globe  is  not  to 
be  annihilated.     Be  good  enough  to  refer  to  the  following. — 

*  Baxter's  Comprehensive  Bible. 
VOL.  III. S 


25  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

Psalm  xciii.  1:  ''The  world  also  is  established,  that  it  can- 
not be  moved." 

Psalm  xcvi.  10:  "The  world  also  shall  be  established  that  it 
shall  not  be  moved." 

Psalm  civ.  5:  "Who  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  that 
it  should  not  be  removed  for  ever," 

Psalm  Ixxviii.  69:  "The  earth,  which  he  hath  established 
for  ever." 

Now,  in  further  support  of  the  simple  doctrine  laid  down 
in  the  above  passages,  I  beg  to  refer  you  to  Dan.  ii.  44:  "And 
in  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God  of  heaven  set  up  a 
kingdom,  which  shall  never  be  destroyed;  and  the  kingdom 
shall  not  be  left  to  other  people,  but  it  shall  break  in  pieces  and 
consume  all  these  kingdoms;  and  it  shall  stand  for  ever." 
Dan.  vii.  13,  14:  "I  saw  in  the  night  visions,  and  beheld  one 
like  the  Son  of  Man  come  with  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  came 
to  the  Ancient  of  Days,  and  they  brought  him  near  before 
him.  And  there  was  given  him  dominion,  and  glory,  and  a 
kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations,  and  languages,  should  serve 
him:  his  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion,  which  shall  not 
pass  away,  and  his  kingdom  that  which  shall  not  be  destroyed." 
1  Cor.  XV.  24,  25:  "Then  cometh  the  end,  when  he  (that  is, 
Jesus  Christ)  shall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
even  the  Father;  when  he  shall  have  put  down  all  rule,  and 
all  authority  and  power.  For  he  must  reign  until  he  hath  put 
all  enemies  under  his  feet." 

These  prophecies  all  refer  to  a  kingdom  to  be  established 
upon  the  earth;  and  the  latter  glances  at  the  end  of  the  INIillen- 
nium;  and  yet  I  can  learn  nothing  of  amiihilation  of  the  mate- 
rial world  by  fire.  "The  grand  work  of  redemption  is  to 
manifest  the  goodness  of  the  work  of  creation," — to  recover  and 
not  to  destroy.  How  can  a  thing  be  redeemed  which  is  annihi- 
lated? If  it  were  so,  Satan,  and  not  God,  would  have  the  tri- 
umph; for  he  would  have  succeeded  in  the  destruction  of  one  of 
God's  works. 

Aquilla.  But  does  not  the  following  text  from  the  inspired 
Psalmist,  rather  interfere  with  the  conclusions  which  you  are 
drawing  from  your  quotations?  Psalm  cii.  25 — 27:  "Of  old 
hast  thou  laid  the  foundation  of  the  earth,  and  the  heavens  are 
the  work  of  thy  hands:  they  shall  perish,  but  thou  shalt  endure; 
yea,  all  of  them  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment;  as  a  vesture  shalt 
thou  change  them,  and  they  shall  be  changed:  but  thou  art  the 
same,  and  thy  years  shall  have  no  end."*  Also  in  Rev.  xxi. 
1:  "And  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth:  for  the  first 

*  See  Charnock  on  the  Attributes,  Discourse  "VI,  for  an  explanation  of 
this  text. 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  27 

heaven  and  the  first  earth  were  passed  away;  and  there  was 
no  more  sea."  Pray,  how  can  you  view  these  texts,  in  con- 
nexion with  your  quotations?  Do  they  not  altogether  contra- 
dict your  position? 

Philander.  Certainly  not;  but  confirm  it,  as  St.  Paul  and  St. 
Peter  shall  satisfactorily  prove  to  you;  and  I  pray  you  to  pay 
particular  attention  to  their  explanations  of  this  same  passage. 
St.  Peter  (2  Pet.  iii.  6,  11),  quoting  this  text,  says,  "Whereby 
the  world  that  then  was,  being  overflowed  with  water,  pe- 
rished."  Verse  11;  Seeing,  then,  that  all  these  things  shall  be 
dissolved,  what  manner  of  persons  ought  ye  to  be  in  all  holy 
conversation  and  godliness,  looking  for  and  hasting  unto  the 
coming  of  the  day  of  God,  wherein  the  heavens,  being  on  fire, 
shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent 
heat."  Compare  this  passage  with  St.  Paul's  quotation  of  the 
same  text,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  and  I  think  you  will 
find  no  difficulty  in  concluding  that  both  St.  Paul  and  St. 
Peter  understood  the  term  ''perish'^  as  only  a  material  altera- 
tion in  the  outward  visible  form  of  the  earth,  and  that  can  be 
effected  by  fire  in  the  second  destruction,  as  it  was  in  i\\Q  firsl 
by  water,  without  moving  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  much 
less  annihilating  the  whole  globe. 

Aquilla.  There  still  remains  one  interesting  subject,  which 
branches  out  of  your  third  division,  and  which,  I  have  ob- 
served, is  regarded  with  more  prejudice  by  many  professing 
Christians  than  any  other  which  your  belief  embraces — the  per- 
sonal reign  of  Christ  on  the  earth.  I  shall  feel  indebted  to  you 
if  you  would  favour  me  with  the  Scripture  evidence  on  which 
this  part  of  your  faith  is  grounded,  although  my  present  opi- 
nions rather  incline  to  the  truth  of  the  doctrine. 

Philander.  My  omission  in  minutely  adverting  to  this  topic 
has  been  intentional.  I  purposely  avoided  a  more  particular 
allusion  than  the  nature  of  our  various  discussions  absolutely 
required.  Aware  of  the  popular  prejudice  against  this  scrip- 
tural truth,  I  did  not  feel  quite  assured  that  even  my  friend 
Aquilla  would  patiently  hear  me,  in  attempting  to  establish 
this  point;  neither  did  I  feel  much  inclined  to  expose  a  doc- 
trine which  I  hold  so  near  my  heart,  to  the  customary  scorn 
and  mockery  with  which  it  is  generally  received;  and  that  pro- 
ceeding from  an  affected  anxiety  that  the  character  of  our 
blessed  Saviour  should  not  suffer,  as  they  are  pleased  to  say, 
by  a  belief  so  derogatory  to  his  glory,  and  so  degrading  to  their 
notions,  of  the  future  inheritance  of  the  saints.  But,  are  we 
not  to  look  for  light  in  this  revealed  truth,  in  "the  law  and 
the  testimony,"  rather  than  "the  traditions  of  the  elders?"    I 


23  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

feel  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that,  notwithstanding  all  our  zeal 
for  the  circulation  of  the  holy  Scriptures  (and  it  is  a  zeal  well 
deserving  of  commendation)  the  practical  belief  of  the  pro- 
fessing church  in  the  Bible — as  proceeding  directly  and  imme- 
diately by  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost — was  never  at  a  lower 
ebb.  We  know  not  what  it  is  to  tremble  at  the  word  of  God, 
and  to  receive  it  into  our  faith  with  simplicity  of  mind — and 
that  more  especially  if  it  should  be  opposed  to  our  own  precon- 
ceived opinions.  It  is  true  there  is  a  sort  of  superstitious  fear, 
as  respects  many  parts  of  God's  holy  word,  which  he  hath 
vouchsafed  us  for  our  instruction;  and  which  is  manifested  in 
that  slavish  dread  which  renders  it  unapproachable,  and  thus 
entirely  defeats  the  gracious  purposes  for  which  it  was  designed. 
But  this  feeling  is  far  removed  from  true  reverejice. — In  suggest- 
ing to  your  reflection  a  few  texts  which  occur  to  me,  as  appli- 
cable to  your  inquiry,  I  will  offer  no  argument  drawn  from 
human  ingenuity.  I  would,  however,  make  one  preliminary 
remark,  that,  if  Christ  and  his  church  are  to  be  attenuated  into 
a  merely  spiritual  existence  of  happiness  and  glory  in  the  eter- 
nal ages,  it  should  seem  an  unnecessary  provision,  or,  rather, 
incumbrance,  of  Divine  Providence,  that  Christ  should  still 
retain  his'glorified  human  nature,  consisting  of  tangible  "flesh 
and  bones,"  as  we  learn  from  Luke  xxiv.  39;  and  that  his 
saints  should  look  forward  to  the  consummation  of  their  happi- 
ness on  their  re-union  to  their  bodies,  at  the  first  resurrection.  It 
was  the  object  to  which  St.  Paul  aspired:  "if  by  any  means  he 
might  attain  unto  the  resurrection  of  the  dead."  Phil.  iii.  11. 
It  was  the  bright  hope  held  out  by  Christ  himself,  as  an  en- 
couragement to  his  suffering  church,"  "And  he  that  overcom- 
eth,  and  keep  my  works  unto  the  end,  to  him  will  I  give  power 
over  the  nations:  and  he  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron:  as 
the  vessels  of  a  potter  shall  they  be  broken  to  shivers;  even 
as  I  received  of  my  Father;  and  I  will  give  him  the  morning 
star,"  and  constituted  the  blissful  anticipation  of  the  church 
now  in  heaven,  forming  the  choral  of  the  glorious  company  of 
martyrs,  "And  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth."  Rev.  v.  10.  Indeed, 
all  Scripture  proves,  that  this  despised  doctrine  "of  the  per- 
sonal reign  of  Christ  with  his  saints  on  the  earth,"  was  the 
grand  hope  and  expectation  which  our  great  Head  intended 
should,  and  is,  to  those  who  receive  it,  eminently  calculated, 
and  peculiarly  adopted,  for  encouragement  to  their  faith,  dur- 
ing their  hard  contest  with  Satan,  the  world,  and  the  flesh; 
the  character  of  the  hope  set  before  us  being  admirably  adjusted 
to  the  form  of  trial:  and,  moreover,  of  the  state  beyond — after 
the  millennial  reign — when  "the  kingdom  is  delivered  up  to 
the  Father,"    there  is    little    or  nothing  revealed.     The  im- 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  29 

mediate  succeeding  future  state  approaches  in  its  enjoyments 
nearer  to  our  present  sympathies  than  we  are  aware  of.  But 
we  have  allowed  ourselves  to  be  beguiled  by  Satan;  and,  in- 
stead of  keeping  this  in  the  eye  of  faith,  we  deem  it  of  little 
value,  and  have  formed  for  ourselves  an  ideal  state  of  happiness, 
in  a  remoter  dispensation,  of  which  I  have  little  doubt,  in  our 
present  state  of  existence,  our  faculties  are  not  capable  of  con- 
taining even  one  solitary  conception.  And  what  is  the  conse- 
quence of  our  thus  presumptuously  rejecting  God's  scheme, 
and  erecting  one  for  ourselves?  We  are  bewildered  in  fanta- 
sies of  our  own  creating,  upon  which  our  hopes  can  take  no 
hold;  and  thus  it  comes  to  pass,  that,  having  no  heavenly  estate 
upon  which  our  thoughts  can  dwell  with  delight,  we  lose  the 
expectation  altogether,  and  become  earthly  minded,  having  our 
conversation  in  this  world,  and  not  where  every  Christian's 
ought  to  be,  "in  heaven;  for  where  our  treasure  is,  there  will 
our  heart  be  also."  None  but  those  who  receive  these  true 
doctrines,  contradictory  as  it  may  appear,  can  have  an  idea 
what  a  noble  field  for  contemplation — what  a  range  for  lofty 
thought,  they  continually  present  to  the  mind.  It  is  this  be- 
lief alone  that  can  introduce  the  Christian  into  that  perfect 
freedom  from  the  oppressive  and  degrading  bondage  of  this 
world,  which  all  should  have,  who  are  the  free-born  sons  of  an 
immortal  King  and  heirs  to  the  kingdom  of  glory.  Ought  the 
constant  vicissitudes  incumbent  on  this  state  of  existence,  to 
make  even  a  transient  impression  on  those  who  profess  to  have 
"an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  that  fadeth  not 
away,  reserved  in  heaven?"  Did  we  feel  we  were  but  "pil- 
grims and  sojourners,  having  no  continuing  city,  but  seeking 
one  to  come;"  and  that  we  possessed  an  imperishable  treasure 
in  heaven;  could  we  be  so  base,  as  to  allow  our  affections  even 
to  glance  at  the  mammon  of  this  world,  which  we  have  such 
varied  proofs  is  so  calculated  to  degrade  the  mind,  and  corrupt, 
if  not  wholly  destroy,  every  nobler  faculty  of  the  human  soul? 
Should  we  suffer  ourselves  to  be  affected  by  the  evanescent 
changes  and  temporary  allurements  of  this  life,  were  we  ever 
conscious  that  we  are  of  the  royal  family  of  Heaven?  Alas! 
who  are  found  now  to  exclaim  with  St.  Paul,  "None  of  these 
things  move  me;  neither  count  1  my  life  dear  unto  me,  so  that 
1  finish  my  course  with  joy."  And  the  reason  ivhy  we  are  so 
much  under  the  influence  of  "the  things  which  are  seen,"  is 
because  we  have  lost  sight  of  the  land-marks  of  the  Prophets 
and  Apostles,  which  more  clearly  presented  to  our  faith  "the 
things  which  are  tzo^  seen." 

1  will  now  read  to  you  the  texts  to  which  I  refer,  and  leave 
you  to  draw  your  own  inferences.     The  first  passage  to  whicii 
S* 


30  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

I  direct  your  attention,  is  that  remarkable  prophecy  from  which 
the  Jewish  nation  drew  their  expectation  of  their  glorious 
Messiah,  who  was  to  restore  their  kingdom;  and  it  is  neces- 
sary that  you  should  bear  in  mind,  what  you  can  learn  from 
any  Jew,  that  they  expected  the  Messiah,  as  a  glorious  prince, 
who  should  reign  in  visible  splendour,  on  the  literal  throne  of 
David;  and,  keeping  this  in  view,  I  think  we  shall  find,  that 
the  Prophets,  and  Christ  himself,  with  his  Apostles,  confirmed 
this  belief,  which  is  now  esteemed  so  capital  an  error. 

1  Chron.  xvii.  11 — 14:  ''And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when 
thy  days  be  expired  that  thou  must  go  to  be  with  thy  fathers, 
that  I  will  raise  up  thy  seed  after  thee,  which  shall  be  of  thy 
sons;  and  I  will  establish  his  kingdom.  He  shall  build  me  an 
house,  and  I  will  establish  his  throne  for  ever.  I  will  be  his 
Father,  and  he  shall  be  my  Son;  and  I  will  not  take  my  mercy 
away  from  him,  as  I  took  it  from  him  that  was  before  thee. 
But  I  will  settle  him  in  my  house  and  in  my  kingdom  for  ever; 
and  his  throne  shall  be  established  for  evermore.'' 

This  prophecy  was  partially  fulfilled  in  Solomon,  king  Da- 
vid's son;  but  that  it  was  not  wholly  accomplished  in  him,  the 
following  texts — still  speaking  of  this  King,  of  which  Solomon 
was  but  a  type — will  sufficiently  prove.  Isaiah  having  pro- 
phesied about  250,  Jeremiah  about  380,  and  Daniel  about  400 
years  after  Solomon  flourished. 

Psalm  Ixxxix.  35 — 37:  "Once  have  I  sworn  by  my  holiness, 
that  I  will  not  lie  unto  David.  His  seed  shall  endure  for  ever, 
and  his  throne  as  the  sun  before  me.  It  shall  be  established 
for  ever  as  the  moon,  and  as  a  faithful  witness  in  heaven." 

Isaiah  ix.  7:  "Of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  peace 
there  shall  be  no  end,  upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  upon  his 
kingdom,  to  order  it,  and  to  establish  it  with  judgment  and 
with  justice,  from  henceforth  even  for  ever." 

Isaiah  lix.  20:  ^^ And  the  Redeemer  shall  come  to  Zio??,  and  unto 
them  that  turn  from  transgression  in  Jacob,  saith  the  Lord." 

Isaiah  Ix.  12,  13:  "For  the  nation  and  kingdom  that  will  not 
serve  thee  shall  perish;  yea,  those  nations  shall  be  utterly  wast- 
ed; and  I  will  make  the  place  of  my  feet  glorious." 

Jeremiah  xxiii.  5,  6 :  "Behold  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord, 
that  I  will  raise  unto  David  a  righteous  Branch,  and  a  King 
shall  reign  and  prosper,  and  shall  execute  judgment  and  justice 
in  the  earth.  In  his  days  Judah  shall  be  saved,  and  Israel  shall 
dwell  safely;  and  this  is  his  name  whereby  he  shall  be  called, 
The  Lord  our  Righteousness." 

Zech.  vi.  12,  13:  "Thus  speaketh  the  Lord  of  hosts,  saying, 
Behold  the  man,  whose  name  is  the  Branch:  and  he  shall  grow 
up  out  of  his  place,  and  he  shall  build  the  temple  of  the  Lord; 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  31 

even  he  shall  build  the  temple  of  the  Lord;  and  he  shall  bear 
the  glory,  and  shall  sit  and  rule  upon  his  throne;  and  he  shall 
be  a  priest  upon  his  throne." 

Zech,  ix.  10:  "And  he  shall  speak  peace  unto  the  heathen; 
and  his  dominion  shall  be  from  sea  even  to  sea,  and  from  the 
river  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth," 

Zech.  xiv.  3,  4:  "Then  shall  the  Lord  go  forth,  and  fight 
against  those  nations,  as  when  he  fought  in  the  day  of  battle. 
And  his  feet  shall  stand  in  that  day  on  the  mount  of  Olives." 
Verse  9:  "And  the  Lord  shall  be  king  over  all  the  earth;  in 
that  day  there  shall  be  one  Lord,  and  his  name  one." 

Hosea  iii.  4,  5:  "And  I  said  unto  her.  Thou  shalt  abide  for 
me  many  days:  for  the  children  of  Israel  shall  abide  many 
days  without  a  king,  and  without  a  prince;  afterwards  shall  the 
children  of  Israel  return,  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God,  and 
David  their  king;  and  shall  fear  the  Lord  and  his  goodness  in 
the  latter  days." 

Zech,  xiv.  17:  "And  it  shall  be,  that  whoso  will  not  com.e 
up  of  all  the  families  of  the  earth  unto  Jerusalem  to  worship 
the  King,  the  Lord  of  hosts,  even  upon  them  shall  be  no  rain." 

Daniel  ii.  44:  "And  in  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the 
God  of  heaven  set  up  a  kingdom,  which  shall  never  be  de- 
stroyed: and  the  kingdom  shall  not  be  left  to  other  people,  but 
it  shall  break  in  pieces  all  these  kingdoms,  and  it  shall  stand 
for  ever," 

Luke  i.  30 — 33:  "And  the  angel  said  unto  her.  Fear  not, 
Mary;  for  thou  hast  found  favour  with  God.  And,  behold, 
thou  shalt  conceive  in  thy  womb,  and  bring  forth  a  son,  and 
shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  He  shall  be  great,  and  shall  be 
called  the  Son  of  the  Highest:  and  the  Lord  God  shall  give 
unto  him  the  throne  of  his  father  David:  and  he  shall  reign 
over  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever;  and  of  his  kingdom  there 
shall  be  no  end." 

John  i,  49:  Nathaniel  addresses  Christ,  and  recognizes  him 
in  the  following  expression  of  his  faith:  "Rabbi,  thou  art  the 
Son  of  God;  thou  art  the  King  of  Israel." 

John  xviii.  37:  "Pilate,  therefore,  said  unto  him,  Art  thou 
a  king  then?  Jesus  answered.  Thou  sayest  that  I  am  a  king. 
To  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  cause  came  I  into  the 
world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  unto  the  truth," 

It  will  be  scarcely  necessary  to  point  out,  even  to  a  careless 
peruser  of  the  New  Testament,  that  this  darling  hope  of  the 
Jew  was  constantly  in  the  view  even  of  the  disciples,  who 
were  continually  urging  him  on  this  point;  and  he  repeatedly 
taught  them,  that  He,  as  well  as  they,  must  first  suffer  humilia- 
tion and  death,  before  they  inherited  the  kingdom.      Even 


32  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

after  his  resurrection,  before  his  ascension,  at  the  last  inter- 
view, they  still  inquired  of  him,  as  you  shall  find  by  consulting 
with  me.  Acts  i.  6,  7:  "When  they  therefore  were  come  to- 
gether, they  asked  of  him  saying.  Wilt  thou  at  this  time  restore 
again  the  kingdom  to  Israel?  And  he  said  unto  them.  It  is 
not  for  you  to  know  the  times  or  the  seasons  which  the  Father 
hath  put  in  his  own  power." 

The  train  of  argument  adopted  in  the  whole  of  the  2d  chap- 
ter of  Acts  is  so  admirably  calculated  to  produce  conviction  on 
this  head,  that  it  is  weakening  the  effect  to  transcribe  a  portion 
of  it.  I  cannot,  however,  refrain  from  directing  j'our  particu- 
lar attention  from  the  29th  to  the  36th  verses  inclusive;  keep- 
ing in  your  eye  thedriftof  the  Apostle's  reasoning,  That  Christ 
must  necessarily  rise  from  the  dead,  as  in  him  was  to  be  ful- 
filled the  prophecies  given  relative  to  David's  Son,  and  yet 
David's  Lord.  "Men  and  brethren,  let  us  freely  speak  unto 
you  of  the  patriarch  David,  that  he  is  both  dead  and  buried, 
and  his  sepulchre  is  with  us  unto  this  day.  Therefore,  being  a 
prophet,  and  knowing  that  God  had  sworn  with  an  oath  to  him. 
that  of  the  fruit  of  his  loins,  according  to  the  flesh,  he  would 
raise  up  Christ  to  sit  on  his  throne;  he  seeing  this  before  spake 
of  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  that  his  soul  was  not  left  in  hell, 
neither  his  flesh  did  see  corruption.  Tl)is  Jesus  hath  God 
raised  up  whereof  we  are  all  witnesses.  Therefore,  being  by 
the  right  hand  of  God  exalted,  and  having  received  of  the  Fa- 
ther the  promise  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  hath  shed  forth  this 
which  ye  now  see  and  hear.  For  David  is  not  ascended  into 
the  heavens;  but  he  saith  himself.  The  Lord  said  unto  my 
Lord,  sit  thou  on  my  right  hand,  until  I  make  thy  foes  thy 
footstool.  Therefore,  let  all  the  house  of  Israel  know  assur- 
edly, that  God  hath  made  that  same  Jesus,  whom  ye  have  cru- 
cified, both  Lord  and  Christ." 

Rev.  xix.  11 — 16:  ''And  I  saw  heaven  opened,  and  behold. 
a  white  horse;  and  he  that  sat  upon  him  was  called  Faithful  and 
True;  and  in  righteousness  he  doth  judge  and  make  war.  His 
eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire,  and  on  his  head  were  many  crowns; 
and  he  had  a  name  written,  that  no  man  knew  but  he  himself. 
And  he  was  clothed  in  a  vesture  dipped  in  blood:  and  his  name 
is  called  The  Word  of  God.  And  the  armies  which  were  in 
heaven  followed  him  upon  white  horses,  clothed  in  fine  linen, 
white  and  clean.  And  out  of  his  mouth  goeth  a  sharp  sword, 
that  with  it  he  should  smite  the  nations:  and  he  shall  rule  ttiem 
with  a  rod  of  iron;  and  he  treadeth  the  wine-press  of,  the 
fierceness  and  wrath  of  Almighty  God.  And  he  hath  on  his 
vesture  and  on   his  thigh  a  name  written,  King  of  kings,  and 


A  CRY  PROM  THE  DESERT.  33 

Lord  of  lords."  Rev.  xxii.  16:  "I  am  the  root  and  the  off- 
spring of  David,  and  the  bright  and  morning  star." 

And  now  having  directed  your  attention  to  a  connected  series 
of  texts  from  the  original  prophecy  down  to  Revelation,  where 
Christ  applies  the  expression,  "1  am  the  root  and  offspring  of 
David"  to  himself;  allow  me  to  ask  you  to  point  out  to  me,  in 
what  epoch  of  the  prophetic  history,  this  Davidical  reign  is 
shadowed  down  to  a  mere  spiritual  reigfi;  for  surely  in  such  case, 
the  prophecies  themselves  to  be  faithful,  must  assume  likewise 
a  spiritual  character. 

For  a  fuller  development  of  this  glorious  scheme  of  the  final 
restitution  of  all  things  under  our  great  Head  and  Captain,  the 
Father  of  the  age  to  come,  I  would  refer  you  to  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  and  especially  to  the  iid,  xth,  xxivth,  xxixth,  xxxviith, 
Ixvith,  Ixviiith,  Ixxid,  Ixxxixlh,  xciid,  ciid,  &c.  &c.,  which  are 
full  of  this  doctrine,  as  also  all  the  Prophets:  and  I  will  defy 
any  man  to  read  the  greater  portion  of  the  Bible  with  under- 
standing, who  does  not  see  the  whole  scheme  of  redemption 
centre  in  this  comprehensive  truth.  I  would  also  recommend 
you  to  read  Mr.  Irving's  Preliminary  Discourse  to  Ben  Ezra, 
of  which,  it  has  been  well  observed,  "/Ais  age  does  not  produce 
such  a  master-piece  of  theology." — Oh!  how  hath  Satan  beguiled 
us  of  our  most  noble  privileges;  of  our  most  exalted  promises! 
how  has  he  degraded  tiie  truth  by  his  base  mimicry:  and  in 
man,  perversely  blind  man,  he  has  found  a  willing  dupe.  God 
teaches  man  by  things,  and  by  his  providence,  more  than  by 
words;  so  that  every  truth  in  nature  contains  the  embryo  of  an 
eternal  truth;  so  that  things  seen,  are  but  the  emblem  of  things 
yet  unseen,  but  which  alone  are  truly  substantial:  "for  the  in- 
visible things  of  Him,  from  the  creation  of  the  world,  are 
clearly  seen,  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made." 
Rom.  i.  20.  Even  this  Satan  has  imitated;  but,  as  the  de- 
ceiver has  nothing  good  of  his  own,  he  has  applied  his  malice 
to  deface  God's  noble  works;  and  I  think  it  would  not  be 
found  difficult  to  shew,  that  there  scarcely  exists  one  grand 
fundamental  truth  which  he  has  not  encumbered  by  his  spuri- 
ous attempts  to  imitate.  He  has  invested  many  of  his  faithful 
servants  with  a  sickly  foretaste  of  the  millennial  rest,  which 
we  may  perceive  by  their  exemption  from  the  primeval  curse, 
"Thou  shalt  eat  thy  bread  with  the  sweat  of  thy  brow;"  and 
in  all  the  possessions  of  the  men  of  this  world,  of  which  they 
are  but  the  temporary  usurpers.  And  the  work  is  worthy  of 
himself:  it  is  the  banquet  of  a  charnel-house!  And  whilst  he 
has  invested  his  own  servants  with  these  habiliments  of  pride, 
how  well  has  he  succeeded  in  stigmatizing  with  disgrace  and 
contempt  the  true  followers  of  Christ!  whereas,  what  is  the 


34  -^  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

truth?  His  servants  are  truly  abject,  low  and  mean,  succumb- 
ing to  an  inflexible  tyrant,  and  a  base  usurper,  for  a  few  tem- 
porary, selfish,  and  ignoble  possessions;  while  Christ's  servants 
are  the  truly  noble  minded  and  great,  disdaining  compromise, 
and  scorning  all  temptations  to  violate  their  fealty, — the  true, 
and  staunch,  and  faithful  adherents  of  an  absent,  but  beloved 
King, — an  heroic  band  of  devoted  warriors,  firm  to  their  alle- 
giance in  the  midst  of  general  disaffection  and  revolt. 

And  now,  my  friend,  I  have  one  more  argument  to  present 
to  your  mind,  which  I  will  not  omit,  in  addition  to  the  above 
authorities,  because  the  church  seems  to  require  as  much  de- 
monstration upon  a  subject  of  religion  as  upon  any  proposition 
of  Euclid, — forgetting  that,  if  such  an  unreasonable  requisition 
were  complied  with  in  the  inspired  volume,  it  would  wholly 
abolish  the  exercise  of  faith,  and  the  divine  teaching  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  render  every  truth  and  every  prophecy  deter- 
minable by  clear-headed  logical  deductions. — My  friend,  we 
live  in  an  age  of  sight  and  of  evidence,  and  not  of  faith;  the  curse 
of  unsanctified  intellect,  which  is  too  wise  and  prudent  to  take 
any  thing  for  granted  simply  because  God  says  it.  Our  fore- 
fathers, I  suppose,  who  believed  God,  did  not  possess  the  rea- 
soning powers  to  which  we  have  attained  by  our  superior 
mode  of  education.  I  can  scarcely  repress  my  indignation, 
when  I  hear  a  mere  boy,  who  has  just  escaped  from  the  tram- 
mels of  a  schoolmaster,  tell  you,  with  all  the  gravity  imagi- 
nable, that  "he  has  not  sufficient  evidence  to  C07ivince  his  un- 
derstanding of  such  and  such  a  truth!''  which  perhaps  may 
have  proceeded,  in  all  its  naked  beauty,  from  the  lips  of  Truth 
itself,  confirmed  by  the  united  testimony  of  Apostles,  and 
sealed  with  the  blood  of  martyrs;  and  which,  forsooth,  because 
we  live  in  an  intellectual  age,  is  to  be  exposed  to  indignity,  by 
attempts  at  reducing  it  to  the  level  of  his  diminutive  intellect! 
"Oh!  how  strange,  how  passing  strange,"  that  one  who  has 
made  such  proficiency  in  mathematics  and  logic,  and  can  read 
Euripides  and  Cicero,  should  not  comprehend  infinity! — In 
this  doctrine  of  the  second  advent,  however,  I  am  bold  to  af- 
firm, that  there  is  to  be  collected  more  satisfactory  proof  than 
in  most  prophetic  truths;  as  if  the  Holy  Ghost,  foreseeing  the 
scepticism  of  the  church  on  this  head,  had  provided  for  it  an 
appropriate  remedy.  In  order,  therefore,  to  shew  you,  that 
the  texts  which  I  have  quoted  (amongst  a  variety)  do,  in  fact, 
contain  clearer  evidence  than  accompanies  many  other  pro- 
phetic announcements,  I  must  beg  your  attention  to  the  first 
advent  of  our  Lord,  which,  I  presume,  you  admit  was  personal. 

Afjuilla.    Certainly;  it  has  become  an  historical  fact. 

Philander.   Supposing  this  fact  was  not  admitted,  I  ask  you 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  35 

to  shew  me,  from  the  Old  Testament  Prophets  where  this 
event  is  spoken  of,  any  conclusive  evidence  to  prove  it  to  be  a 
personal  manifestation — I  mean  when  his  advent  in  humility 
is  foretold,  unconnected  rvilh  his  glorious  advent;  and  whenever 
it  is  prophesied  of  an  intimate  connexion,  the  inference  which 
you  must  draw  for  a  personal  accomplishment  in  the  first  in- 
stance, I  claim  an  equal  right  ii)  support  of  a  similar  fulfilment 
in  the  second.  If  I  were  therefore  disposed,  for  argument 
sake,  to  dispute  a  first  personal  advent,  you  would  find  that  a 
careful  examination  of  the  Prophets  would  furnish  you  with 
slender  proofs  to  support  your  position;  and  this  circumstance 
adds  incredible  weight  to  the  conclusion,  that,  if  the  first  ad- 
vent has  been  a  personal  and  literal  fulfilment,  when  even  the 
prophecies  themselves  do  not  bear  that  obvious  construction, 
then  the  second,  most  assuredly,  will  receive  a  precisely  simi- 
lar accomplishment,  literally  and  truly,  when  such  a  collection 
of  inspired  authorities  combine  to  give  it  this  character.  Christ 
came  first  to  relieve  his  church  from  spiritual  bondage;  that 
is,  from  Levitical  ordinances;  he  will  come  again  in  person, 
to  liberate  us  from  that  bodily  bondage  which  oppressed  Paul, 
and  will  continue  to  afflict  all  his  true  church,  until  our  De- 
liverer come  to  our  emancipation. 

Aquilla.  There  are  one  or  two  passages  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, which  I  think  militates  against  your  putting  a  literal 
construction  on  the  texts  which  you  have  quoted;  and  on  the 
authority  of  our  Lord  himself;  and  has  hitherto  furnished  my 
mind  with  ample  evidence  that  the  kingdom  of  Christ  will 
consist  of  merely  a  spiritual  kingdom  in  the  hearts,  and  in- 
fluencing the  lives,  of  the  majority  of  mankind;  and  I  believe 
this  has  been  the  general  view  entertained  by  Christians  on 
the  doctrine  of  the  Millennium;  that  the  church  will  then 
have  the  ascendency  over  the  world,  which  we  now  so  pal- 
pably see  invested  in  the  latter. 

Philajider.  I  am  happy,  Aquilla,  to  find  you  are  supporting 
your  opinion  by  a  reference  to  scriptural  authority;  for  no 
doctrine  or  tenet  in  theology  is  to  be  held  by  mere  assertion: 
but  this  is  a  mode  of  argument  to  which  I  have  found  few  dis- 
posed to  resort,  whenever  I  have  conversed  on  the  subject;  or, 
if  referred  to,  the  texts  have  been  so  frittered  and  explained 
away,  as  certainly  to  mean  any  thing  but  the  idea  which  the 
language  would  convey,  if  adopted  in  the  expression  of  other 
^subjects.  I  am  anxious  to  hear  your  authorities,  and  I  will 
endeavour  to  reply  to  them.  Before  naming  your  texts,  how- 
ever, I  would  offer  one  remark  on  the  prevalent  notion,  that 
the  Millennium  will  merely  consist  of  a  high  state  of  religious 
prosperity.      I  will   direct  your  attention   to  three  passages  in 


36  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

the  Revelations,  proving  that  this  dominion  of  the  resurrection 
of  the  saints  over  the  earth  is  what  we  learn  from  Divine  reve- 
lation on  the  subject.  Christ  is  addressing  the  church  atThya- 
tira,  and  says  (Rev.  ii.  26 — 28),  "And  he  that  overcometh, 
and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the  end,  to  him  will  I  give 
power  over  the  nations:  (and  he  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod 
of  iron;  as  the  vessels  of  a  potter  shall  they  be  broken  to  shi- 
vers:) even  as  I  received  of  my  Father."  Rev.  v.  10,  the 
saints  in  heaven  are  rejoicing,  saying,  "And  we  shall  reign  on 
the  earth."  Rev.  xi.  18:  "And  the  nations  were  angry,  and 
thy  wrath  is  come,  and  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should 
be  judged,  and  that  thou  shouldst  give  reward  unto  thy  servants 
the  prophets,  and  to  the  saints,  and  them  that  fear  thy  name, 
small  and  great;  and  shouldst  destroy  them  which  destroy  (or 
corrupt)  the  earth."  If  the  texts  above  mean  any  thing,  it  is, 
that  every  saint  that  has  ever  lived  will  participate  in  the  glo- 
rious happiness  of  that  day,  when  the  sons  of  God  will  be 
manifested.  I  will  just  glance  at  Job's  and  Daniel's  expecta- 
tions on  the  same  subject,  and  then  await  the  proofs  to  which 
you  have  alluded.  Job  xix.  25 — 27:  "For  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon 
the  earth:  and  though,  after  my  kin,  worms  destroy  this  body, 
yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God:  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself, 
and  my  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another;  though  my  reins 
be  consumed  within  me."  Dan.  xii.  13:  "But  go  thou  thy 
way,  till  the  end  be;  for  thou  shalt  rest,  and  stand  in  thy  lot 
at  the  end  of  the  days."  Now,  assuming  the  Millennium  to 
be  the  blessed  period  to  which  these  holy  men  directed  their 
hopes;  and  if  it  is  merely  to  consist  of  a  higher  state  of  perfec- 
tion of  the  present  spiritual  dispensation — as  you  appear  to 
maintain — what  "part  or  lot"  hath  Job  and  Daniel  in  the 
matter?  They  were  most  wofully  deceived,  and  will  be  most 
cruelly  disappointed,  in  their  participation  of  the  joys  of  that 
happy  time.  If  you  deny  that  their  hopes,  expressed  in  the 
above  passages,  did  refer  to  the  Millennium,  you  must  reject 
those  portions  of  holy  writ  m  toto,  or  find  some  other  period  of 
fulfilment,  which  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  any  have  had  the 
hardihood  to  attempt.  Thus  we  see  the  Prophets  of  old  lived  in 
the  anticipation  of  these  things;  and  that  we  do  not,  is  one  of 
the  thousand  signs  of  the  times,  that  we  have  wholly  perverted 
the  truth  and  turned  unto  fables. 

Aquilla.  The  passages  to  which  I  beg  your  attention,  are 
the  following: — Luke  xvii.  20,  21:  "And  when  he  was  de- 
manded of  the  Pharisees  when  the  kingdom  of  God  shbuld 
come,  he  answered  them,  and  said.  The  kingdom  of  God 
cometh  not  with  observation:  neither  shall  they  say,  Lo  here! 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  37 

or  Lo  there!  for,  behold,  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you." 
Also,  John  xviii,  36:  "Jesus  answered,  My  kingdom  is  not  of 
this  world:  if  my  kingdom  were  of  this  world,  then  would 
my  servants  fight,  that  I  should  not  be  delivered  to  the  Jews: 
but  now  is  my  kingdom  not  from  hence." 

Philander.  I  was  fully  prepared  for  these  quotations;  and  I 
cannot  omit  noticing,  that  if  I  converse  with  one  Christian  on 
these  subjects,  I  have  conversed  with  all:  for  I  uniformly 
meet  with  precisely  similar  objections  and  remarks,  and 
founded  on  the  same  texts,  except  when  the  shallow  evasion 
is  presented  to  you,  and  which  is  most  frequently  the  case,  of 
a  personal  practical  application  to  yourself  The  correctness 
of  this  observation  must  occur  to  every  one  who  has  inter- 
ested himself  in  the  discussion  of  these  doctrines;  and  it  evi- 
dently detects  the  impoverished  resources  which  those  have 
who  maintain  an  opposite  opinion.  To  your  first,  I  have  thus 
to  reply:  You  will  observe,  from  whom  the  inquiry  came,  and 
to  whom  the  answer  is  addressed — those  Pharisees  to  whom 
Christ  ever  spoke  in  parables,  and  who  were  ignorant,  negli- 
gent, and  altogether  destitute  of  that  spiritual  kingdom  which 
has  its  seat  in  the  believer's  heart.  For  an  illustration  both  of 
Christ's  manner  of  address  in  this  instance  to  the  Pharisees, 
as  also  of  his  true  meaning,  I  refer  you  to  John  iii.  5:  "Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  you.  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water,  and 
of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  Ver. 
9 — 12:  "Nicodemus  answered,  and  said  unto  him.  How  can 
these  things  be?  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him.  Art  thou 
a  master  of  Israel,  and  knowest  not  these  things?  Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  thee.  We  speak  that  we  do  know,  and  tes- 
tify that  we  have  seen;  and  ye  receive  not  our  witness.  If  I 
have  told  you  earthly  things,  and  ye  believe  not,  how  shall  ye 
believe,  if  I  tell  you  of  heavenly  things?"  By  which  passage, 
and  Luke  xvii.  20,  I  learn  two  things:  First,  That  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  receive  the  spiritual  kingdom  in  the  heart,  ''which 
Cometh  not  by  outward  observation,"  before  we  can  enter  into 
the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God;  and  Christ's  reply  to 
the  Pharisees  was  therefore  most  appropriate;— seeing  that  they 
lacked  that  which  alone  could  introduce  them  to  the  kingdom 
for  which  they  inquired.  And  secondly,  I  learn  that  Christ 
"threw  not  his  pearls  before  swine:  neither  does  he  teach  his 
own  servants  truths  before  he  has  prepared  the  soil  of  the  heart 
for  their  reception  and  full  comprehension,  as  we  find  in  Nico- 
demus' case,  who  was  undoubtedly  a  good  man,  and  a  sincere 
inquirer:  and,  mark  me,  though  a  ruler  in  Israel,  a  babe  in  kncnu- 
ledge,  to  whom  our  Saviour  did  not  enter  into  discourse  upon 
"heavenly  things,'^  seeing  that  he  was  dull  of  hearing,  and  could 

VOL.  III. — 9 


3g  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

not  receive  even  "earthly  things."  According  to  your  views, 
therefore,  the  "heavenly  things"  which  Christ  in  the  above 
passages  clearly  applies  to  his  kingdom,  uill  never  arrive;  for  you 
make  the  Millennium  to  consist  only  of  a  high  state  of  spiri- 
tuality, whichChrist  considers  and  teaches  as  being  only  "earthly 
things." — You  see  into  what  perplexing  dilemmas  and  direct 
contradictions  of  Scripture  the  popular  notions  on  these  sub- 
jects must  inevitably  introduce  you;  and  what  can  more  plainly 
mark  them  as  Satan's  deceptions,  than  that  they  are  all  opposed 
to  the  word  of  God? 

Besides,  the  term  '^within  you,"  in  the  21st  verse  of  the 
chapter,  reads  in  the  margin  '■'amojig  you;'"  and  in  this  sense, 
John  the  Baptist  preached  that  the  kingdom  of  heaven  was  at 
hand,  and  did  come  to  the  Jews,  though  they  saw  it  not.  As 
he  was  a  King  then,  though  in  disguise,  so  was  his  kingdom; 
not  then  manifest  to  outward  observation:  he  had  received  the 
kingdom,  but  its  possession  was  deferred.  In  this  instance,  as 
I  am  persuaded  in  every  other  particular  of  the  first  advent, 
our  Lord's  life  contained  the  types  of  those  things  which  shall 
be  revealed  at  his  second  coming.  The  expressions  also  in  John 
xviii.  36,  "My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world;"  and,  "but  now 
is  my  kingdom  not  iVom  hence,"  furnish  me,  when  closely  ex- 
amined, ample  authority  to  reject  your  interpretation,  as  exclu- 
sively applicable  to  the  spiritual  kingdom,  which  every  true 
disciple  has  within  himself.  The  word  now  is  undoubtedly 
significant  of  time  present  in  contradistinction  to  the  future,  so 
that  the  present  tense  being  used  by  our  Lord.  "JNIy  kingdom  is 
not,  and  now  is  my  kingdom  not  from  hence,"  do  most  clearly 
imply,  by  fair  inference,  that  at  some  future  period,  it  u-illbe 
from  hence,  and  on  this  earth. 

And  shall  we  say,  that,  because  we  admit  to  its  fullest  extent 
the  truth  of  the  spiritual  kingdom  in  the  heart,  therefore  there 
is  no  other  kingdom?  Does  the  invisible  then  necessarily  de- 
stroy the  visible?  Certainly  not — and  we  believe  in  both:  but 
you  receive  the  one,  and  reject  the  other.  Pray  do  me  the  favour 
of  reading  at  your  leisure  carefully  a  continuation  of  the  pass- 
age from  Luke  xvii.,  and  you  will  find,  that  our  Saviour,  though 
he  spoke  of  a  spiritual  kingdom,  without  observation,  zchich 
then  ii-as,  yet  likewise  directed  his  disciples  to  a  future  king- 
dom, the  manifest  token  of  which  he  plainly  foretels  them. 

To  establish,  however,  the  truth  of  this  position,  beyond  all 
controversy,  that  the  kingdom  of  God,  which  cometh  without 
observation  in  Luke  xvii.  20,  is  not  intended  by  our  Saviour  to 
exclude  the  visible  kingdom  for  which  I  am  contending,  with- 
out in  the  least  infringing  on  the  spiritual  kingdom,  to  which 
you  exclusively  confine  the  expression,  I  refer  you  to  Luke 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  39 

xii.  31,  32:  '<But  rather  seek  ye  the  kingdom  of  God;  and  all 
these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you.  Fear  not,  little  flock; 
for  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom." 
Luke  xxii.  29:  "And  I  appoint  unto  you  a  kingdom,  as  my 
Father  hath  appointed  unto  me;  that  ye  may  eat  and  drink 
at  my  table  in  my  kingdom,  and  sit  on  thrones,  judging  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel,"  It  is  evident  that  Christ  was  ad- 
dressing those  who  had  already  received  the  spiritual  kingdom 
in  their  hearts;  and  yet  he  directs  their  attention  to  a  future 
kingdom,  which  they  were  to  receive,  and  for  which  he  teaches 
his  disciples  to  pray,  "Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done 
on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven."  That  this  was  the  precise  view 
entertained  by  the  Apostle  Paul  on  this  subject,  we  can  have 
little  doubt,  from  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  i.  13,  14:  "In 
whom  also,  after  that  ye  believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  that 
holy  Spirit  of  promise,  which  is  the  earnest  of  our  inheritance 
tintil  the  redempiion  of  the  purchased  possession,^'  which  we  know 
to  be  the  ''uttermost  parts  of  the  earth:"  that  is,  we  know  this 
to  be  Christ's  inheritance;  and  therefore  ours.  Thus  the  spi- 
ritual kingdom  in  the  heart,  in  which  we  are  contented  to  cen- 
tre all  our  hopes  and  expectations,  Paul  only  regarded  as  the 
earnest:  the  writings  of  the  estate;  but  essentially  necessary  to 
qualify  us  to  enter  into  its  full  possession. 

Jesus  Christ,  when  speaking  of  his  kingdom,  it  is  to  be  re- 
marked, quoted  the  language  of  Daniel,  and  often  represented 
it  as  not  immediately  at  hand,  or  impending,  though  on  this  earth, 
as  we  shall  find  by  the  following,  which  I  think,  with  what  I 
have  already  advanced,  will  satisfy  you  in  my  reply  to  both 
your  texts. 

Mark  xiii.  34 — 37:  "For  the  Son  of  man  is  as  a  man  taking 
a  far  journey,  who  left  his  house,  and  gave  authority  to  his 
servants,  and  to  every  man  his  work,  and  commanded  the  por- 
ter to  watch.  Watch  ye,  therefore;  for  ye  know  not  when 
the  master  of  the  house  cometh,  at  even  or  at  midnight,  or  at  the 
cock-crowing,  or  in  the  morning;  lest  coming  suddenly  he 
find  you  sleeping.  And  what  I  say  unto  you  I  say  unto  all, 
Watch." 

Luke  xix.  12,  13:  "A  certain  nobleman  went  into  a  far  coun- 
try to  receive  for  himself  a  kingdom,  a?id  to  returti.^' 

Luke  XX.  9:  "A  certain  man  planted  a  vineyard,  and  let  it 
forth  to  husbandmen,  and  went  into  a  far  country  for  a  long 
time." 

Matt.  XXV.  14:  "For  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  as  a  man  tra- 
velling into  a  far  country."  Verse  19:  *' After  a  long  time 
the  lord  of  those  servants  cometh." 

You  will  find  in  every  part  of  the  prophecies,  this  kingdom, 


40  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

which  is  to  last  for  ever,  is  to  subvert  all  other  kingdoms, 
which  are  to  "become  like  the  chaff  of  the  summer  threshing 
floor,  and  the  wind  to  carry  them  away,  so  that  no  place  shall 
be  found  for  them."  Dan.  ii.  35. 

This  cannot  be  realized  at  the  present  moment,  as  we  see  all 
these  kingdoms  still  in  existence;  although  politicians  admit, 
neither  does  it  require  any  assistance  of  the  prophecies  to  per- 
ceive, that  they  are  tottering  to  their  base:  and  every  thinking 
man  is  anxiously  awaiting  their  final  overthrow^,  little  dream- 
ing of  the  "everlasting  kingdom"  which  is  to  be  ^'set  up  iti  the 
days  of  these  kifigs,''  and  upon  their  ruins.  It  follows,  there- 
fore, by  consequence,  and  forms  an  important  feature  of  the 
last  times,  that  the  establishment  of  this  kingdom  is  indeed 
near  at  hand. 

Aqiiilla.  You  press  me  so  hard,  that  I  am  constrained  to  ad- 
mit my  complete  defeat. 

Philander.  The  second  advent  of  our  Lord  in  flesh,  affords 
me  a  key  to  the  fuller  comprehension  of  the  mystery  of  his 
humanity,  which,  before  I  entered  into  this  doctrine,  I  never 
was  able  to  attain  unto.  I  now  see  the  end  for  which  Christ 
"took  not  upon  him  the  nature  of  angels,  but  the  seed  of  Abra- 
ham;" and  has  united  human  nature,  to  his  eternal  Godhead, 
the  God-Man,  the  only  manifestation  of  the  blessed  Trinity, 
for  whom,  as  well  as  by  whom,  *'all  things  were  made,  both  in 
heaven  and  earth."  To  what  heights  of  surpassing  glory  will 
those  be  raised  "who  are  faithful  unto  death!"  If  Adam  was 
pronounced  by  his  Divine  Maker,  when  he  came  forth  from 
his  hands,  to  be  "very  good,"  how  far  more  glorious  will  that 
incorruptible  body  be  which  we  receive  from  the  Second  Adam  ! 
Truly,  "it  hath  never  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  con- 
ceive what  God  hath  prepared  for  those  who  love  him;"  see- 
ing that  he  hath  taken  our  own  nature  into  his  essential  being. 
— God  does  every  thing  in  order.  The  incarnation  of  the  Son 
of  God  was  the  first  stepping-stone  towards  the  exaltation  of 
human  nature.  The  next  grand  effort  in  j)rogression  towards 
its  high  destiny,  will  be  the  millennial  kingdom  of  Christ: 
what  may  constitute  the  next,  in  the  Divine  purpose,  I  know 
not;  but  this  I  know,  that  he  that  "overcometh  and  endureth 
unto  the  end"  is  an  "heir  of  God,  and  joint  heir  of  Christ;" 
who  is  now,  as  our  earnest  of  the  inheritance,  "set  down  at 
the  right  hand  of  God,  in  the  heavenly  places,  far  above  all 
principality  and  power  and  might  and  dominion,  and  every 
name  that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that 
which  is  to  come;  and  hath  all  things  put  under  his  feet:  "for," 
he  says,  "all  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth." 
Seeing  then  that  God  hath  put  no  limits,  who  shall  prescribe 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  41 

man's  noble  destiny?  Who  will  say  his  vicegerency  shall  not 
extend,  yet,  to  the  utmost  reach  of  God's  universe;  to  worlds, 
and  systems  of  worlds,  which  now  cannot  find  a  place  even  in 
the  thought  of  man? 

Jlquilla.  It  has  often  occurred  to  me,  that  the  church,  by  los- 
ing sight  of  the  risen  humanity  of  Christ,  has  robbed  itself  of 
its  grandest  and  most  appropriate  consolation.  In  this  light, 
the  views  you  entertain  of  the  second  advent  strike  me  with 
peculiar  propriety.  There  is  certainly  an  incompleteness  and 
insufficiency  in  the  belief  that  Christ  will  again  visit  this  earth, 
only  to  pronounce  a  hasty  condemnation,  and  effect  a  speedy 
execution  of  annihilating  judgment,  wherein  he  endured  with 
such  patience  and  long  suffering,  the  deepest  humiliations  and 
degradation  from  the  powers  of  this  world.  It  were  but  an 
unsatisfactory  triumph,  if  he  does  not,  on  the  very  field  of  his 
sufierings  defeat  and  baffle  the  enemies  which  then  oppressed 
him,  and  his  church  after  him;  if  he  does  not  reign  on  the 
throne  of  his  glory,  triumphing  over  the  world,  and  ruling  the 
nations  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth.  ''And  he  shall  smite 
the  earth  with  the  rod  of  his  mouth,  and  with  the  breath  of 
his  lips  shall  he  slay  the  wicked."  Isa.  xi.  4. 

Philander.  I  am  delighted  to  see  your  mind  is  disenthralled 
from  that  egregious  error — that  Christ's  dignity  would  be  di- 
minished by  his  again  visiting  this  earth;  by  which  it  is  con- 
ceived, that  tliis  world  is  so  sunk  in  corruption,  as  to  render  its 
redemption  from  the  curse  out  of  God's  power  to  effect,  and 
therefore  he  must  necessarily  annihilate  it.  But  who  shall 
presume  to  call  that  unclean  which  God  hath  pronounced  to  be 
"very  good,"  Who  hath  corrupted  the  earth?  "Cursed  be  the 
ground,  for  thy  sake,"  was  a  part  of  the  original  curse;  and 
the  inspired  Apostle,  four  thousand  years  after,  confirmed  the 
same  grand  truth:  "for  true  and  righteous  are  thy  judgments; 
for  he  hatii  judged  the  great  whore,  which  did  corrupt  the  earth 
with  her  fornication."  Rev.  xix.  2.  And  we  know  that  when 
"he  hath  avenged  the  blood  of  his  servants  at  her  hand,  and 
purified  the  earth  by  fire,''  that  forthwith  a  new  order  of  things 
will  spring  into  creation,  "wherein  dwelleth  righteousness." 
Did  Christ  then  die  to  redeem  only  the  souls  of  men?  It  were 
but  a  partial  redemption,  if  all  be  not  redeemed,  which  have 
fallen  under  the  curse;  material  as  well  as  immaterial. — Christ, 
we  learn  from  St.  Paul,  is  "to  gather  all  things  unto  himself." 
But  let  us  examine  the  consistency  of  this  objection,  and  we 
shall  find  it  wholly  untenable.  The  same  individuals  will 
doubtless  grant,  that  if  they  be  the  children  of  God,  their  bodies 
are  become  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost:  "whose  temple 
ye  are,  if  ye  abide  in  the  faith."  How  comes  it,  my  brethren, 
9* 


42  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

that  you  so  willingly  allot  that  body  of  sin  and  death  which  is 
by  nature  so  full  of  corruption,  and  all  manner  of  abonnina- 
tions,  as  the  habitation  of  one  Person  in  the  blessed  Trinity; 
and  so  blindly  contend,  that  the  inanimate  and  unconscious 
earth  is  alone  so  irremediably  sunk  under  the  curse  as  to»  be 
wholly  incapable  of  being  renewed  unto  a  fit  and  holy  habita- 
tion for  the  Divine  presence,  in  the  second  Person  in  the  Tri- 
nity. In  which,  think  ye,  the  mighty  power  of  God  is  most 
manifest;  in  regenerating  this  perverse  heart  to  righteousness 
and  true  holiness,  by  the  "working  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  or 
effecting  a  purification  and  redemption  of  the  unresisting  ma- 
terial world?  It  is  true  this  visible  creation  fell  from  its  pris- 
tine beauty  and  comeliness,  when  man,  who  was  its  responsi- 
ble head,  and  destined  for  its  lord,  fell  under  his  Creator's 
displeasure  by  disobedience:  but,  as  in  Adam,  all  thi?)gs  were 
included  under  the  curse,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  things  be  redeem- 
ed from  the  curse.  Then  "the  wilderness  and  the  solitary 
place  shall  be  glad  for  them,  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and 
blossom  as  the  rose:  it  shall  blossom  abundantly,  and  rejoice 
even  with  joy  and  singing."  Isa.  xxxv.  1.  "The  mountains 
and  the  hills  shall  break  forth  before  you  into  singing,  and  all 
the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their  hands:  instead  of  the  thorn, 
shall  come  up  the  fir  tree;  and  instead  of  the  briar,  shall  come 
up  the  myrtle  tree;  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  for 
an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  cut  off."  Isa.  Iv.  12,  13. 
And  when  he  comes,  how  will  he  come?  As  a  mighty  Man 
of  War!  "The  Lord  shall  go  forth  as  a  mighty  man:  he  shall 
stir  up  jealousy  like  a  man  of  war:  he  shall  cry,  yea  roar:  he 
shall  prevail  against  his  enemies."  Isa.  xlii.  13.  "And  the  Lord 
shall  utter  his  voice  before  his  army:  for  his  camp  is  very 
great:  for  he  is  strong  that  executeth  his  word:  for  the  day  of 
the  Lord  is  great  and  very  terrible,  and  who  can  abide  it?"  Joel 
ii.  11.  "For  the  Lord  most  high  is  terrible:  he  is  a  great  King 
over  all  the  earth."  God  is  gone  up  with  a  shout:  for  God  is 
the  King  over  all  the  earth."  Psalm  xlvii.  See  also  Joel,  chaps, 
ii.  iii.  "Hear,  all  ye  people:  hearken,  0  earth,  and  all  that 
therein  is;  and  let  the  Lord  God  be  witness  against  you;  yea, 
the  Lord  from  his  holy  temple.  For  behold  the  Lord  cometh 
forth  out  of  his  place,  and  will  come  down,  and  tread  upon  the 
high  places  of  the  earth;  and  the  mountains  shall  be  molten 
under  him,  and  the  valleys  shall  be  cleft  as  wax  before  the  fire, 
and  as  the  waters  that  are  poured  down  a  steep  place."  Micah 
i.  2 — 4.  See  also  Isa.  Ixiii.  1 — 4.  "Behold,  I  will  send  my 
Messenger;  and  he  shall  prepare  the  way  before  me:  and' the 
Lord,  whom  ye  seek,  shall  suddenly  come  to  his  temple,  even 
the  Messenger  of  the  covenant,  whom  ye  delight  in:  behold, 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  43 

he  shall  come,  salth  the  Lord  of  hosts.  But  who  may  abide 
the  day  of  his  coming;  and  who  shall  stand  when  he  appeareth? 
for  he  is  like  a  refiner's  fire,  and  like  fuller's  soap."  Malachi 
iii.  1,  2. 

Having  replied  in  regular  order  to  the  three  divisions  of 
your  belief,  you  will  allow  me  to  enlarge  on  another  propheti- 
cal truth,  which  the  Gentile  church  seems  wholly  to  have  for- 
gotten, or,  with  grasping  selfishness,  and  the  most  perverse  and 
blind  misconstruction,  has  appropriated  to  herself.  The  re- 
storation of  the  Jews,  as  a  nation  to  their  own  land,  which  is 
immediately  to  precede,  and  continue,  as  the  visible  manifesta- 
tion of  that  blessed  period,  "for  which  the  whole  creation 
groaneth  and  travaileth,"  except  self-satisfied  man!  What  a 
glorious  order  of  things  will  then  be  established!  Then  will 
the  Ten  tribes  suddenly  emerge  from  their  mysterious  hiding 
place;  and  then  also  will  blazen  forth  in  glorious  apparel,  to 
the  utter  confusion  of  the  infidel,  the  tens  of  thousands  of  saints 
who  have  been  crying  to  God  to  "avenge  their  blood  on  them 
that  dwell  on  the  earth."  Then  will  be  revealed  the  true 
Cyrus,  who  will  deliver  his  people  from  the  Babylonish  yoke: 
and  having  punished  the  princes,  who  oppressed  his  people, 
will  he  establish  that  kingdom  spoken  of  by  Daniel,  which 
"shall  never  be  destroyed:"  of  which,  fhe  beloved  clhj  shall  be 
the  centre.  "There  he  shall  reign  in  Mount  Zion,  and  in  Je- 
rusalem, and  before  his  ancients  gloriously."  Then  shall  come 
to  pass  that  Scripture,  "Arise,  shine;  for  thy  light  is  come,  and 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee.  For  behold  the 
darkness  shall  cover  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  people; 
but  the  Lord  shall  arise  upon  thee,  and  his  glory  shall  be  seen 
upon  thee.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  come  to  thy  light,  and  kinos 
to  the  brightness  of  thy  rising."  Isa.  Ix. 

My  difficulty  in  proving  this  truth  from  Scripture  is  not  to 
search  for  passages,  but  to  select  the  most  appropriate  from  an 
almost  innumerable  collection. 

Deut,  XXX.  1:  "And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  all  these 
things  are  come  upon  thee,  the  blessing  and  the  curse,  that  the 
Lord  thy  God  will  turn  thy  captivity,  and  have  compassion 
upon  thee,  and  will  return  and  gather  thee  from  all  the  nations 
w^hither  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  scattered  thee.  And  the  Lord 
thy  God  will  bring  thee  into  the  land  which  thy  fathers  possessed, 
and  thou  shalt  possess  it;  and  he  will  do  thee  good,  and  multi- 
ply thee  above  thy  fathers.  And  the  Lord  thy  God  will  cir- 
cumcise thy  heart,  and  the  heart  of  thy  seed;  to  love  the  Lord 
thy  God  with  all  thine  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  that  thou 
mayest  live.  And  the  Lord  thy  God  will  put  all  these  curses 
upon   thine   enemies,  and  on  them  that  hate  thee,  which  per- 


44  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

secuted  thee;  and  thou  shalt  return  and  obey  the  voice  of  the 
Lord,  and  do  all  his  commandments,  which  I  command  thee 
this  day." 

Isa.  xiv.  1:  "For  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  Jacob,  and 
will  yet  choose  Israel,  and  set  them  in  their  own  land;  and  the 
strangers  shall  be  joined  with  them." 

Isa.  xxvii.  13:  "And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that 
the  great  trumpet  shall  be  blown,  and  they  shall  come  which 
were  ready  to  perish  in  the  land  of  Assyria,  and  the  outcasts 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  shall  worship  the  Lord  in  the  holy 
mount  at  Jerusalem." 

Isa.  xxxiii.  20:  "Thine  eyes  shall  see  Jerusalem  a  qiiiel  habi- 
tation, a  tabernacle  that  shall  not  be  taken  down.  Not  one  of 
the  stakes  thereof  shall  ever  be  removed;  neither  shall  any  of 
the  cords  thereof  be  broken." 

Isa.  Ixv.  18:  ''Behold  I  create  Jerusalem  a  rejoicing,  and 
her  people  a  joy;  and  they  shall  build  houses,  and  inhabit  them, 
and  they  shall  plant  vineyards,  and  eat  the  fruit  of  them.  They 
shall  not  build,  and  another  inhabit;  they  shall  not  plant,  and 
another  eat;  for  as  the  days  of  a  tree  are  the  days  of  my  peo- 
ple, and  mine  elect  shall  long  enjoy  the  work  of  my  hands." 

Jer.  iii.  17:  "At  that  time  they  shall  call  Jerusalem  the 
throne  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  nations  shall  be  gathered  unto 
it,  to  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  Jerusalem." 

Jer.  xxxii.  37:  "Behold  I  will  gather  them  out  of  all  coun- 
tries whither  I  have  driven  them  in  mine  anger,  and  in  my 
fury,  and  in  great  wrath;  and  I  will  bring  them  again  unto 
this  place,  and  I  will  cause  them  to  dwell  safely:  and  they 
shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  their  God.  Yea,  I  will 
rejoice  over  them  to  do  them  good,  and  I  will  plant  them  in 
this  land  assuredly,  with  my  whole  heart,  and  with  my  whole 
soul." 

Ezek.  xxviii.  25,  26:  '-Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  When  T 
shall  have  gathered  the  house  of  Israel  from  the  people  among 
whom  they  are  scattered,  and  shall  be  sanctified  in  them  in 
the  siglit  of  the  heathen,  then  shall  they  dwell  in  their  land 
that  1  have  given  to  my  servant  Jacob;  and  they  shall  dwell 
safely  therein,  and  shall  build  houses  and  plant  vineyards; 
yea,  they  shall  dwell  with  confidence  when  I  have  executed 
judgment  upon  all  those  that  despise  them  round  about  them; 
and  they  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  their  God." 

Ezek.  xxxvi.  24,  2S,  33—35:  "For  I  will  take  you  from 
among  the  heathen,  and  gather  you  out  of  all  countries,  and 
will  bring  you  into  your  own  land.  And  ye  shall  dwell  in 
the  land  that  I  gave  to  your  fathers;  and  ye  shall  be  my  peo- 
ple, and  I  will  be  your  God.     Thus  sailh  the  Lord  God,  In  the 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT,  45 

day  that  I  shall  have  cleansed  you  from  all  your  iniquities,  I 
will  also  cause  you  to  dwell  in  the  cities,  and  the  wastes  shall 
be  builded.  And  the  desolate  land  shall  be  tilled,  whereas  it 
lay  desolate  in  the  sight  of  all  that  passed  by.  And  they  shall 
say,  This  land  that  was  desolate  is  become  like  the  garden  of 
Eden;  and  the  waste,  and  desolate,  and  ruined  cities,  are  be- 
come fenced,  and  are  inhabited." 

Ezek.  xxxvii.  21,22,25,27,  28:  "Thus  saith  the  Lord  God, 
Behold,  I  will  take  the  children  of  Israel  from  among  the  hea- 
then, whither  they  be  gone,  and  will  gather  them  on  every  side, 
and  bring  them  into  their  own  land.  And  I  will  make  them 
one  nation  in  the  land  upon  the  mountains  of  Israel;  and  one 
king  shall  be  king  to  them  all:  and  they  shall  be  no  more  two 
nations,  neither  shall  they  be  divided  into  two  kingdoms  any 
more  at  all.  And  they  shall  dwell  in  the  land  that  I  have 
given  unto  Jacob  my  servant,  wherein  your  fathers  have  dwelt; 
and  they  shall  dwell  therein,  even  they  and  their  children,  and 
their  children's  children,  for  ever;  and  my  servant  David  shall 
be  their  prince  for  ever.  My  tabernacle  also  shall  be  with 
them;  yea,  I  will  be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be  my  people. 
And  the  heathen  shall  know  that  I  the  Lord  do  sanctify  Israel, 
when  my  sanctuary  shall  be  in  the  midst  of  them  for  ever- 
more." 

Zech.  ii.  12:  "And  the  Lord  shall  inherit  Judah  his  portion 
in  the  holy  land,  and  shall  choose  Jerusalem  again." 

Zech.  viii.  20,  23:  "Thus  said  the  Lord  of  Hosts;  It  shall 
yet  come  to  pass  that  there  shall  come  people,  and  the  inhabi- 
tants of  many  cities.  The  inhabitants  of  one  city  shall  go  to 
another,  saj'ing,  Let  us  go  speedily  to  pray  before  the  Lord, 
and  to  seek  the  Lord  of  Hosts;  I  will  go  also;  yea,  many 
people  and  strong  nations  shall  come  to  seek  the  Lord  of 
Hosts  in  Jerusalem,  and  to  pray  before  the  Lord.  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  of  Hosts,  In  those  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that 
ten  men  shall  take  hold  out  of  all  languages,  of  the  nations, 
even  shall  take  hold  of  the  skirt  of  him  that  is  a  Jew,  saying. 
We  will  go  with  you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is  with 
you." 

Zech.  xiv.  16:  "And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  every  one 
that  is  left  of  all  the  nations  which  came  against  Jerusalem 
shall  even  go  up  from  year  to  year  to  worship  the  King,  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  and  to  keep  the  feast  of  tabernacles.  And  it 
shall  be,  that  whoso  will  not  come  up,  of  all  the  families  of 
the  earth  unto  Jerusalem,  to  worship  the  King,  the  Lord  of 
Hosts,  even  upon  them  shall  be  no  rain." 

Malachi  iii.  12:  "And  all    nations  shall  call  you   blessed; 


4(5  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.     ' 

for  ye  shall  be  a  delightsome  land,  saith   the   Lord   God  of 
Hosts." 

Aquilla.  The  literal  restoration  of  the  Jews  to  their  land, 
and  their  re-establishment  in  political  power,  I  have  never 
questioned.  There  does  not  appear  to  be  a  very  great  distinct- 
ness in  those  passages  of  Scripture  which  speak  of  the  second 
coming,  such  as  we  meet  in  Revelations,  i.  7:  "Behold  he 
Cometh  with  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall  see  him,  and  they 
also  which  pierced  him,  and  all  kindreds  of  the  earth  shall 
wail  because  of  him."  If  we  compare  this  passage  with  many 
parts  of  the  Old  Testament  prophecies,  there  appears  to  be  a 
contradiction.  For  instance,  take  Isa.  Ixvi,  18,  19:  "It  shall 
come,  that  I  will  gather  all  nations  and  tongues,  and  they  shall 
come  and  see  my  glory,  and  I  will  set  a  sign  among  them:  and 
I  will  send  those  tliat  escape  of  them  unto  the  nations;  to  Tar- 
shish,  Pul  and  Lud,  that  draw  the  bow,  to'  Tubal  and  Javan,to 
the  isles  afar  off,  that  have  ?iot  heard  mij  fame,  neither  have  seen 
■niij  glory,  and  they  shall  declare  my  glory  among  the  Gentiles." 
I  can  scarcely  reconcile  the  consistency  of  these  two  passages; 
for  if  the  Second  Advent  be  "when  every  eye  shall  see  him," 
not  only  this  portion  of  Isaiah,  but  many  of  the  prophecies, 
appear  contradictory  and  confused. 

Phila?ider.  There  is  much  force  and  propriety  in  your  objec- 
tion; and  I  believe  it  is  one  which  has  occasioned  much  per- 
plexity to  our  modern  commentators,  and  at  one  period  was  a 
serious  difficulty  to  my  mind,  but  which  I  have  since  over- 
come to  my  own  satisfaction.  I  will  simply  suggest  the  idea 
to  your  consideration,  and,  admitting  its  truth,  I  think  you  will 
find  a  natural  and  easy  solution  of  such  apparently  contradic- 
tory passages  of  Scripture.  We  find  the  first  advent  of  our 
Lord  spoken  of  by  the  Prophets  in  such  intimate  connexion 
with  his  second,  that,  until  the  fulfilment  of  the  Jirst  had  iden- 
tified it,  as  being  distinct  and  separate,  it  was  utterly  impossible 
to  mark  a  distinguisliing  line:  tliis  was  the  universal  method  of 
the  prophecies — a  more  grand  and  important  event,  projecting 
out  of  the  immediate  vision;  and,  as  I  have  before  observed, 
each  successive  fulfilment,  containing  the  whole  of  the  pro- 
phecy condensed,  but  yet  complete  in  all  its  parts,  including 
and  shadowing  forth  a  miniature  representation  of  the  final  ac- 
complishment. This  must  be  so  apparent  to  even  a  casual 
reader  of  the  prophetic  writings,  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  point  out  particular  instances.  For  you  can  scarcely  refer 
to  a  prophecy  of  the  INIessiah,  but  his  humility  and  glory  are 
most  closely  interwoven.  It  was  this  that  misled  the  disci- 
ples themselves,  who  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  our  Lord's  j^erso- 
nal  instructions:  much  less  should  the  Jews,  as  a  nation,  be 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  47 

exempt  from  the  error,  when  the  Lord's  immediate  followers 
''trusted  that  it  had  been  he  which  should  have  redeemed 
Israel"  at  that  time.  Luke  xxiv.  21.  Looking  back,  therefore, 
on  this  as  an  established  fact,  why  may  we  not  find,  to  our 
dispensation,  a  third  ma?nfestalio7i  of  Jesus  Christ,  distinct 
from  the  second,  and  yet  so  blended  as  to  render  it  difficult 
to  distinguish  them?  We  shall  find  that  a  close  examination 
of  Scripture  strengthens  this  idea.  I  have  already  established, 
to  your  full  conviction,  a  second  resurrection  at  the  end  of  the 
Millennium,  when  all  the  dead  shall  be  judged.  I  now  direct 
your  attention  to  Rev.  xxii.  7:  "And  when  the  thousand  years 
are  expired,  Satan  shall  be  loosed  out  of  his  prison."  The 
8th,  9th,  and  10th  verses  contain  an  account  of  the  last  Apos- 
tacy.  Verse  11:  "And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  Him 
that  sat  on  it,  from  whose  face  the  earth  and  the  heaven  fled 
away,  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them:  and  I  saw  the 
dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before  God;  and  the  books  were 
opened,  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of 
life.  And  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those  things  which 
were  written  in  the  books,  according  to  their  works.  And 
the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  it,  and  death  and  hell 
delivered  up  the  dead  which  were  in  them;  and  they  were 
judged,  every  man  according  to  their  works.  And  death  and 
hell  were  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire.  This  is  the  second  death." 
Now  we  know  that  He  that  sitteth  on  the  great  white  throne 
is  Jesus  Christ;  for  the  Father  judgeth  no  man,  having  de- 
livered all  judgment  unto  the  Son.  And  as  Christ  is  the  only 
manifestation  of  the  Deity,  it  cannot  hence  be  the  Father,  but 
the  Son.  Here,  then,  there  is  a  plain  succinct  account;  and  on 
this  authority,  amongst  others,  I  rest  my  belief.  There  are  not 
many  instances  in  the  prophetic  writings  wherein  the  style 
descends  to  this  minute  description:  nor  are  we  to  expect  it. 
When  God,  however,  has  graciously  condescended  to  give  it, 
as  an  assistance  to  the  devout  inquirer,  we  are  fully  justified 
in  bringing  other  prophecies  to  the  test,  and  model  our  inter- 
pretation accordingly.  Whenever  I  meet  with  separate  pas- 
sages which  appear  contradictory,  I  do  not  think  I  act  wisely, 
because  I  cannot  instantly  reconcile  them,  to  pronounce  them 
as  utterly  incomprehensible,  and  virtually  to  believe  neither: 
but  I  rather  collect  that  there  is  a  deep  and  important  truth 
concealed,  too  precious  to  meet  the  eye  of  the  indifferent  in- 
quirer, and  which,  whilst  it  confounds  the  self-sufficient  scep- 
tic, offers  a  rich  revvard  to  such  as  grudge  not  the  patience  and 
labour  to  extract  the  gem  that  lies  concealed.  For  I  am  per- 
suaded that,  however  difficult  we  may  find  it  to  connect  many 
seeming  inconsistencies,  yet  that  the  Scriptures  will  be  found 


48  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT, 

to  be  an  united  chain  of  harmony  and  beauty.  And  were  this 
simple  rule  more  adhered  to  by  Christians,  we  should  not  so 
continually  hear  the  Bible  pronounced  a  "sealed  book,"  full  of 
enigmatical  mysteries  and  "dark  sayings,"  which,  I  am  per- 
suaded, it  never  was  the  design  of  God  that  it  should  be,  but 
rather  to  serve  as  "a  lamp  to  our  feet,  and  a  light  unto  our 
path."  Let  any  man,  whose  eyes  are  enlightened  in  the  pro- 
phecies, compare  this  idea  with  Scripture,  and  I  think  he  will 
find  much  to  sanction  it.  The  gift  of  prophecies  and  under- 
standing mysteries,  we  know,  is  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and,  like 
all  other  gifts  of  the  Spirit,  is  personal,  and  jiot  communicable. 
It  is  not  to  be  conveyed  by  argument,  nor  to  be  transmitted 
from  one  Christian  to  another,  except  employed  as  a  means, 
under  the  immediate  influence  of  the  Spirit  himself  to  confer 
his  own  especial  gift. 

Aquilla.  The  idea  which  you  have  just  opened  to  me  is  de- 
serving of  consideration,  and  I  will  not  fail  to  give  it.  There 
is  one  reason  often  urged  by  Christians,  who  delay  inquiry  into 
these  subjects,  that  "there  is  no  time  lost;  and  when  these 
coming  judgments  shall  be  close  at  hand,  the  signs  of  their 
near  approach  will  be  so  apparent,  that  sufiicient  time  will  be 
afforded  them  to  get  their  house  in  order,  ere  the  Master 
arrives," 

Philander.  Alas!  alas!  that  such  causes  are  assigned;  but  let 
not  the  church  deceive  herself  The  antediluvians  who  scorned 
Noah'swarning,zt)ere  a/50C072Z)i«cerf  when  the  "windows  of  heaven 
were  opened  upon  the  earth;  but  it  was  then  too  late.  God  gave 
them  ample  time  for  repentance;  but  those  who  scorn  his  warn- 
ing, and  fly  to  him  only  for  safety,  will  find  that  "God  also  will 
laugh  at  their  calamity,  and  mock  when  their  fear  cometh." 
The  Egyptian  king,  who  hearkened  not  to  the  words  of  Moses, 
neither  regarded  the  peaceable  signs  of  his  authority,  hardened 
his  heart  when  they  came  \n  judgment.  Those  who  are  saying 
by  their  conduct,  "Shew  us  a  sign  of  these  things,"  may  also 
learn  another  lesson  from  this  king,  whose  magicians,  working 
miracles  and  signs,  by  the  power  of  Satan,  confirmed  him  in 
his  determined  wickedness.  We  likewise  read  of  devils  working 
miracles;  and  let  the  church  beware  lest  God  gives  her  a  sign, 
but  gives  it  in  judgment,  for  her  infidelity. 

Aquilla.  I  am  much  indebted  to  you,  my  dear  friend,  for 
many  views  of  Scripture  which  have  been  opened  to  me  in  this 
conversation;  and  I  admit,  that  generally  your  observations 
have  struck  me  with  much  force.  I  cannot,  however,  wholly 
concur  with  you  in  your  severe  strictures  on  the  present 
church;  and  though  I  am  disposed  to  admit,  in  many  instances, 
that  there  is  too  much  cause  ibr  censure,  yet  is  it,  do  you  think, 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  49 

quite  becoming,  or  wise,  to  state  so  plainly  your  convictions; 
and  is  it,  do  you  think,  exhibiting  that  spirit  of  love  which  is 
the  essence  of  the  blessed  Gospel?  Are  you  not  falling  into 
the  same  error  "of  judging"  which  has  just  called  forth  so 
much  of  your  animadversion?" 

Phil.  We  must  be  careful,  in  our  great  anxiety  to  avoid  the 
stigma  of  being  considered  censorious,  that  we  do  not  fall  into 
the  other  extreme  of  shrinking  to  declare  the  truth  /rom  year 
of  man,  and  thus  connive  at  and  sanction  error.  Universal 
commendation  is  not  Christian  love,  but  want  of  discrimina- 
tion, or  something  worse.  It  is  Satan's  wily  counterfeit,  which 
he  who  is  taught  by  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  may  easily  detect. 
The  accommodation  of  the  truth,  to  suit  the  prejudices  and 
conveniences  of  men,  is  but  little  removed  from  temporizing 
with  principle.  We  are  grown  so  tender  and  delicate,  that  the 
naked  truth  cannot  now  be  spoken  without  offence.  We  have 
a  hundred  consequences  to  dread,  which  troubled  not  the  apos- 
tles and  martyrs.  A  bold,  faithful,  and  humble  servant  will 
perform  his  Lord's  commands,  and  ?20t  questioji  their  wisdom: 
and  yet  nothing  is  more  common,  than  to  advocate  the  partial 
suppression  of  a  faithful  testimony  with,  <'Is  it  quite  wise  to 
affirm  so  much,  lest  such  a  consequence  result  from  so  plain  a 
declaration?"  which,  under  the  false  guise  oi  love  and  humility, 
presumptuously  apologizes  and  qualifies  the  determinate  will  of 
God,  and  arrogantly  sits  in  judgment  on  his  eternal  wisdom. 
But  know  ye  not,  that  Satan  can  assume  the  appearance  of  an 
angel  of  light?  It  is  this  unhealthy  squeamishness,  this  false 
spirit  of  love,  this  prudent  temporizing  with  probable  conse- 
quences, that  have  combined  to  introduce  the  church  into  its 
present  state  of  "peace  and  safety,"  when  the  clouds  are  thick- 
ening around  her,  pregnant  with  sudden  destruction  and  over- 
whelming judgments.  God  has  various  duties  for  his  several 
servants:  if  all  were  to  preach  only  of  love  and  mercy,  there 
would  be  none  to  "cry  aloud"  of  righteousness  and  judgment 
to  come.  Which  is  the  true  friend?  he  that  fearlessly  tells  a 
truth  and  warns  of  danger,  or  he  that  sweetly  confirms  an  error, 
and  lulls  into  false  security?  Which  is  the  kind  physician? 
he  who  cuts  out  the  gangrenous  part;  or  he  who,  from  weak 
commiseration,  relieves  his  patient  with  opiates,  and  glides 
him  into  the  slumbers  of  death? 

Think  ye,  there  were  no  well  instructed  scribes  in  Jerusa- 
lem, and,  to  all  human  wisdom,  far  better  calculated  for  the 
service  of  testifying  before  the  learned  doctors,  when  Christ 
sent  the  blind  beggar?  Doubtless  they  thought  the  beggar  very 
unbecoming  and  presumptuous;  and  certainly  such  a  fearless 
and  most  noble  testimony  was  not  squared  by  the  modern  cal- 

VOL.  III.  — 10 


50  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

culations  of  human  policy  and  prudence:  and  not  suspecting 
what  he  saw — though  he  had  been  blind,  that  they,  with  all  their 
learning  and  wisdom,  were  blinder  to  the  truth  than  he  had 
previously  been  insensible  to  the  light — no  wonder,  with  such 
views,  they  exclaimed,  "Dost  thou  teach  us!"  So  now  let  the 
church  beware  lest  they  also  reject  the  truth  of  God's  testi- 
mony, because  the  instrument  may  possibly  like  him,  have 
been  "altogether  born  in  iniquity."  But  take  ye  heed,  lest 
those  whom  ye  think  blind  should  see,  and  ye  who  think  ye  see  prove 
to  be  blind. 

Aquilla.  There  is  one  common-place  objection  which  is  often 
urged,  in  opposition  to  those  who  so  continually  preach  the 
second  advent;  "Wherein  consists  its  practical  good?" 

Philander.  I  am  sorry  to  say  it  is  a  common  objection,  and 
as  wicked  and  presumptuous  as  it  is  ignorant.  Are  ue  to  sit  in 
judgment  on  God's  holy  word,  and  dictate  to  him  what  is,  and 
what  is  not,  of  practical  tendency?  It  is  sufficient  for  me  to 
perceive  that  it  was  the  grand,  if  not  the  only  stimulus  to 
watchfulness,  perpetually  urged  by  Christ  and  his  Apostles. 

The  following  examples — that  the  coming  of  the  Lord  was 
the  continual  incitement  to  watchfulness — are  but  a  specimen 
of  what  abounds  in  the  Gospels  and  Epistles. 

Mark  xiii.  34,  37:  "Watch  ye,  therefore;  for  ye  know  not 
when  the  master  of  the  house  cometh,  at  even  or  at  midnight, 
or  at  the  cock-crowing,  or  in  the  morning;  lest  coming  sud- 
denly he  find  you  sleeping.  And  what  I  say  unto  you,  I  say 
unto  all.  Watch." 

1  Thess.  V.  2,  6:  "For  yourselves  know  perfectly,  that  the 
day  of  the  Lord  so  cometh  as  a  thief  in  the  night:  therefore 
let  us  not  sleep  as  do  others;  but  let  us  watch  and  be  sober." 

2  Peter  iii.  14:  "Wherefore,  beloved,  seeing  that  ye  look 
for  such  things,  be  diligent,  that  ye  may  be  found  of  him  in 
peace,  without  spot,  and  blameless." 

Titus  ii.  13:  "Looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  even  the 
glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God,  even  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ." 

Luke  xii.  35,  36:  "Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your 
light  burning;  and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for 
their  Lord." 

And  we  know  from  the  following  passage  that  though  he 
will,  to  the  church  and  to  the  world,  come  suddenly,  and  as  a 
thief,  yet  that  there  will  be  a  faithful  remnant,  who  will  be 
waiting  and  longing  for  his  appearing. 

2  Tim.  iv.  8:  "Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  cro-wn 
of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  5X 

give  me  at  that  day;  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also 
that  love  his  appearing. 

Heb.  ix.  28:  "And  to  them  that  look  for  him  shall  he  appear 
the  second  time,  without  sin,  unto  salvation." 

The  fact  is,  the  church  is  fancying  herself  "  rich,  and  in- 
creased with  goods,  and  knows  not  that  she  is  wretched  and 
miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked."  God  forbid  that 
in  that  day  I  should  be  found  clothed  with  one  fdthy  rag  of  my 
own  righteousness.  Our  eyes  have  been  so  much  directed  to 
the  outward  manifestation — the  visible  fruit — that  we  are  fast 
falling  into  a  forgetfulness  of  the  inward  visible  work  of  grace 
in  the  heart;  in  our  great  anxiety  and  solicitude,  as  it  were  to 
force  out  some  precocious  and  sickly  fruit.  Who  knows  not, 
that  is  not  less  than  a  babe,  that  "without  holiness  no  man  can 
see  the  Lord;"  and  yet  for  this  reason,  is  our  eye  to  be  exclu- 
sively fixed  in  the  zvork,  and  not  rather  on  Him  on  whom  its 
progress  depends?  Did  Paul  ask  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  inspired 
his  writings,  "What  was  the  use  of  the  doctrine  of  salvation 
by  grace  alone,  without  the  deeds  of  the  law?"  And  did  he 
quibble  from  an  affected  regard  to  the  honour  of  God,  about  its 
probable  practical  tendency?  What  awful,  impious  presump- 
tion, under  the  false  guise  of  humility !  Who  art  thou,  0  man, 
who  shall  bandy  words  with  thy  Maker?  Surely,  the  times 
are  come,  spoken  of  by  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  Timothy,  "when 
they  will  not  endure  sound  doctrine,  but  after  their  own  lusts 
shall  they  heap  to  themselves  teachers,  having  itching  ears,  and 
they  shall  turn  away  their  ears  from  the  truth,  and  shall  be 
turned  unto  fables." 

"Prophesy  unto  us  smooth  things,"  say  they;  "prophesy 
deceits."  But  woe  be  to  that  shepherd  who  gives  heed  to  the 
cry  of  their  flocks.  Woe  be  to  "the  dumb  dogs  that  do  not 
bark,"  as  it  is  written  in  Ezekiel  xxxiii.  2,  6:  "When  I  bring 
a  sword  upon  a  land,  if  the  people  of  the  land  take  a  man  of 
their  coasts,  and  set  him  for  their  watchman;  and  if  the  watch- 
man see  the  sword  come,  and  blow  not  the  trumpet,  and  the 
people  be  not  warned;  if  the  sword  come,  and  take  any  person 
from  among  them,  he  is  taken  away  in  his  iniquity,  but  his 
blood  will  I  require  at  the  watchman's  hand." 

As  God  is  my  witness,  I  would  not  for  any  earthly  conside- 
ration sustain  the  weight  of  responsibility  which  rests  on  those 
men,  who,  week  after  week,  stand  up  in  their  pulpits,  and  so 
far  from  sounding  the  alarm  of  the  coming  judgments,  syste- 
matically hide  their  report  from  the  people's  ears,  and  scorn 
those  who  do  sound  it.  They  amuse  their  hearers  with  inge- 
nious religious  essays,  and  intellectual  sermons;  and  they  are 
well  pleased  with  them,  saying,  "Peace!  peace!" 


52  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

But  is  there  no  analogy  to  this  in  the  history  of  God's  pro- 
vidence? Hath  God,  then,  never  utterly  confounded  a  church 
and  nation,  and  visited  them  with  a  judicial  blindness?  What 
is  that  then  that  is  written  by  Isaiah  the  Prophet?  "For  the 
Lord  hath  poured  out  upon  you  the  spirit  of  deep  sleep,  and 
hath  clothed  your  eyes:  ihe  prophets,  and  your  rulers,  ihe  seers 
hath  he  covered.  And  the  vision  of  all  is  become  unto  you  as 
the  words  of  a  book  that  is  sealed."  And  has  it  not  rather 
come  to  pass  also,  in  our  days,  according  to  that  saying  of 
Christ?  "I  thank  thee,  0  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth, 
that  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and 
hast  revealed  them  unto  babes."  And  if  it  were  not  so,  the 
following  quotation  from  Luke's  Gospel  would  not  he  true.  "But 
let  God  be  true,  and  every  man  a  liar."  "And  as  it  was  in 
the  days  of  Noe,  so  shall  it  be  also  in  the  days  of  the  Son  of 
Man.  They  did  eat,  they  drank,  they  married  wives,  they 
Avere  given  in  marriage,  until  the  day  that  Noe  entered  into 
the  ark,  and  the  flood  came,  and  destroyed  them  all.  Like- 
wise also,  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  Lot;  they  did  eat,  they 
drank,  they  bought,  they  sold,  they  planted,  they  builded;  but 
the  same  day  that  Lot  went  out  of  Sodom,  it  rained  fire  and 
brimstone  from  heaven,  and  destroyed  them  all.  Eveji  thus 
shall  it  be  in  the  day  zvhen  the  Son  of  Man  is  revealed.^' 

Aquilla.  Your  conversation,  Philander,  has  interested  me 
more  than  I  can  express  to  you,  and  will  furnish  me  with  mat- 
ter for  reflection  for  some  time  to  come.  I  cannot  yield  my 
assent,  without  maturer  deliberation;  but,  in  many  respects,  I 
have  been  fully  convinced,  as  your  reasons  have  been  presented 
to  my  view:  and  in  all  you  have  advanced,  your  arguments  ap- 
pear so  clear,  that  unless  I  am  enabled  to  controvert  them  satis- 
factorily to  my  own  mind,  I  can  have  no  alternative  than  yield- 
ing my  former  opinions,  however  nearly  they  may  approach 
to  deeply  rooted  prejudices.  In  the  mean  time,  accept  my 
thanks,  for  directing  my  attention  to  subjects  which  I  had  ad- 
mitted as  established  truths,  and  therefore  never  inquired  into 
the  stability  of  the  foundation  on  which  they  were  built, — on 
the  word  of  God,  which  is  the  only  true  test  to  which  all  doc- 
trines must  be  brought. 

Phil.  And  with  this  assurance  I  must  rest  satisfied;  for  it  is 
not  mine  to  give  you  discernment  to  perceive,  neither  to  be- 
stow the  believing  heart  to  receive  these  glorious  truths.  It 
will  be,  however,  at  most  fearful  hazards  that  you  slight  the 
scriptural  arguments  which  I  have  produced  in  support  of  the 
opinions  I  have  advocated:  for  bear  in  mind  that  the  "coming 
of  the  Lord,"  which  I  have  this  day  set  before  you,  is  "no 
cunningly  devised  fable,"  no  idle  speculation  of  the   brain, 


A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT.  53 

or  fanciful  flight  of  the  imagination,  which  the  church  may  en- 
tertain, or  discard,  at  her  own  option.  It  is  either  a  grand  and 
most  important  doctrine,  or  a  fallacious  and  most  dangerous 
heresy;  in  eitiier  case,  well  worthy  of  most  weighty  conside- 
ration. Suffer  not  yourself,  neither  allow  others,  to  beguile 
themselves,  and  thus  dismiss  this  most  vital  question  with  the 
careless  admission  of  faith  in  the  second  advent,  as  a  universal 
truth;  neither  with  the  customary  evasion,  that  "it  is  enough 
for  them  to  look  to  the  day  of  their  death."  The  Jews,  who 
scourged  and  crucified  "the  King  of  Glory,"  would  likewise 
have  contended,  whilst  in  the  act  of  mocking  Him  "of  whom 
prophets  spake,"  and  who  was  himself  the  fulfilment  of  all  the 
prophets  foretold,  that  they  also  believed  in  Christ,  and  waited 
for  their  Messiah.  So  now,  it  well  becometh  those  who  pro- 
fess "not  to  be  of  this  world,"  to  take  heed,  lest  they  be  found 
opposing  the  establishment  of  that  kingdom,  with  the  prayer 
in  their  mouths,  "Thy  kingdom  come;  thy  will  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven."  This  inquiry  does  indeed  assume 
the  appearance  of  most  momentous  interest,  and  involves  the 
most  awful  responsibility,  when  we  learn,  that  those  who  re- 
fused to  recognise  John  the  Baptist's  mission,  who  was  sent 
*'to  prepare  a  people  for  the  Lord,"  were  found  likewise  to 
reject  Him  of  whom  he  was  but  the  harbinger.  See  Luke  xx.  3 
— 8.  It  does  indeed  become  a  subject  deserving  of  most  in- 
tense anxiety,  lest  that  testimony  which  ought  to  convince, 
should  be  found  to  condemn.  Behold!  I  can  discern  the  feeble 
rays  of  a  more  brilliant  day,  which,  as  it  advances,  will  dispel  the 
<'gross  darkness"  in  which  the  world  and  its  inhabitants  are  now 
enveloped,  the  deep  and  general  gloom  being  but  slightly  varied 
by  an  occasional  glimmering  of  a  faint  gleam  of  faith,  scarcely 
distinguishable  even  to  the  surrounding  darkness.  Welcome, 
thrice  welcome,  blessed  dawn  of  a  more  blessed  day.  Welcome, 
though  it  be  but  the  partial  foretaste  which  faith  alone  can  ap- 
prehend, of  that  kingly  dispensation,  brighter  and  nobler  far, 
as  power  and  great  glory  is  transcendently  superior  to  suffering 
and  humility.  And  if  the  great  Head  of  the  church  be  now 
directing  her  expectations  to  the  crown;  who  is  so  base,  who 
is  so  servile  amongst  us,  as  to  spurn  the  glorious  endowment? — 
It  strikes  me  with  the  most  profound  astonishment  when  I  see 
Christians  disputing  the  offer  of  their  rich  inheritance  with  a 
perverse  tenacity,  as  though  their  liberal  Master  were  requir- 
ing them  to  submit  to  bondage  and  slavery,  instead  of  opening 
the  door  and  conducting  them  "to  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God."  It  seems  to  convey  the  murmurings  of  ill-re- 
quited service,  rather  than  the  expression  of  those  glad  hosan- 
nas  with  which  heaven  and  earth  will  resound,  and  hail  the 


54  A  CRY  FROM  THE  DESERT. 

approach  of  their  Eternal  King.  "Let  the  heavens  rejoice, 
and  Jet  the  earth  be  glad ;  let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  there- 
of; let  the  fields  be  joyful,  and  all  that  is  therein:  then  shall 
all  the  trees  of  the  wood  rejoice  before  the  Lord;  for  he  Com- 
eth, for  he  Cometh  to  judge  the  earth;  he  shall  judge  the  world 
with  righteousness,  and  the  people  with  his  truth."  Ps.  xcvi. 
11 — 13.  This  dulness  of  apprehension,  this  reluctance  of  be- 
lief, and  coldness  of  heart,  but  ill  accords  with  the  sublime 
reception  with  which  the  inspired  Psalmist  anticipates  this  most 
glorious  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  universe.  "Lift  up  your 
heads,  0  ye  gales,  and  be  ye  lift  up,  ye  everlasting  doors,  and 
the  King  of  Glory  shall  come  in.  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory? 
the  Lord,  strong  and  mighty;  the  Lord,  mighty  in  battle.  Lift 
up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates,  even  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting 
doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  come  in.  Who  is  this  King 
of  Glory?  the  Lord  of  Hosts;  he  is  the  King  of  Glory?"  Fs! 
xxiv.  7 — 10. 

And  now,  Aquilla,  I  have  this  day  witnessed  a  good  confes- 
sion before  you,  and  not  only  to  you,  but  to  all  who  hear  this 
sound  of  approaching  judgment,  and  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord; 
and  should  none  other  ever  reach  them,  than  what  this  feeble 
voice  contains,  they  will  find  themselves  utterly  without  ex- 
cuse, should  "that  day  come  upon  them  unawares,  and  over- 
take them  in  surfeiting  and  drunkenness,  and  cares  of  this 
LIFE."  And  what,  think  ye,  those  servants  who  were  bidden 
will  say,  when  they  "see  the  poor,  and  the  lame,  and  the  halt, 
and  the  blind,"  sit  down  at  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb, 
and  they  themselves  shut  out? 

"Now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation:" 
fly,  oh  fly,  unto  the  Saviour,  whilst  his  hands  are  still  extended 
to  receive  you,  for  "the  time  is  at  hand;"  and  if  ye  have  not 
"laid  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  you,"  how  will  ye  exclaim, 
with  bitterness  of  soul  in  that  day,  "The  harvest  is  past,  the 
summer  is  ended,  and  we  are  not  saved!" 

Your  blood,  0  reader!  will  be  upon  your  own  head.  Take  heed, 
therefore,  that  your  loins  be  girt,  your  lamp  trimmed,  afid  your  wed- 
ding garme?it  prepared;  for  now  hath  the  midnight  cry  entered 
ALSO  into  YovK  ears.  "Behold  the  Bridegroom  cometh!" 
".^men!  Even  so, come.  Lord  Jesus." 


Itek  ♦-v^- 


■  «' 


%• 


5  ^^m^w^y^: 

/fTijjU^ 

y^dr^ 

f^»^i-- 

.4^4 

MN«r 


:-.-* 


